European Positions on Unconditional Basic Income

About the Event:

Barbara Prainsack’s new book on an Unconditional Basic Income “Vom Wert des Menschen” has received a lot of attention in recent weeks. At a time when many people have lost their jobs and the economic outlook is uncertain, an unconditional basic income (UBI) sounds tempting. The Green European Foundation, with the support of its Austria partner FREDA, has invited Barbara Prainsack to discuss her thoughts and basic theses with us.

In order to delve even deeper into the topic, we want to bring further perspectives to the table: Sabine Jungwirth (Federal Spokesperson Green Economy) brings her economic expertise and Barbara Huemer (Green Spokesperson for Women, Work, Employment, Human Resources, Science, Research & Development) shares her experiences.

European perspectives will be provided by Antje Schrupp from Germany, who has been dealing with the feminist aspects of a UBI for years, and by Francois Denuit, researcher and staff member of the European Parliament with a focus on an EU-wide UBI.

Context:

After gathering comprehensive expertise and setting up transnational networks through a three-year long project on universal basic income, GEF and its partners continue building on the outputs and successes of this work on the topic.

The transnational project ‘Change of Mindset – UBI, Climate and Social Change’ seeks to spark a stronger civil society dialogue to bring about the change of mindset needed to raise acceptance of universal basic income among the public and to deepen the debate on our conceptions of productivity and work. Together, we dive

into the exploration of UBI as a tool of the urgently needed ecological transition and part of social security in a (post-)pandemic, climate change world.

Speakers:

• Barbara Prainsack – author of “Vom Wert des Menschen” (Austria)
• Sabine Jungwirth – Federal Spokesperson Green Economy (Austria)
• Barbara Huemer – Green Spokesperson for Women, Work, Employment, Human Resources, Science, Research & Development (Austria)
• Antje Schrupp – journalist and political scientist (Germany)
• Francois Denuit – researcher and staff member at the European Parliament (Belgium)

Moderation by Carlotta Weber (Strategy Manager at the Green European Foundation)

Programme:

19:00 – 19:10 Onboarding & Welcome (00:10)

19:10 – 19:20 Reading/Presentation by Barbara Prainsack (00:10)

19:20 – 20:10 Panel discussion

20:10 – 20:20 Input by Francois Denuit

20:20 – 20:30 Panel discussion

20:30 – 20:45 Audience Q&A (optional)

Practicalities:

This event will take place primarily in German.

The event will be streamed live on YouTube, please tune in here.