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17
Sep
2020
 
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm

Join us for the second in our series of Green-Red Dialogues, this time discussing Universal Basic Income as a possible relief from the grave socio-economic consequences of the ongoing pandemic and whether Spain’s Minimum Income is a step in the right direction.

About the Event:

COVID-19 has once again put on the table the need for a change of model, based on solidarity and equity for all European citizens. If we apply the same instruments that we have used up to now, we are in danger of leaving many people behind, creating a socially and economically unequal Europe. What model of Europe do we want? How can we ensure that people can live with dignity? How can we contribute to the creation of a social security system that works for all? How can we make it possible for people to live with dignity from their work without having to accept multiple jobs or over-exploitation?

The second Green-Red Dialogue will address the topic of Basic Income. The Green European Foundation has worked with experts on this topic for the past three years, formulating “European Green Perspectives on Basic Income” together with several partner foundations including Fundacio Nous Horitzons.

Now is a good time to present the conclusions of that research and put back on the agenda an issue that in the current crisis situation is more relevant than ever. The effects of the coronavirus have left much of the population excluded and the outlook for the coming years is not very encouraging. Current welfare and subsidy models have been shown to fall short both in protecting groups at risk of exclusion and encouraging economic development in Europe.

According to experts in the field, basic income could: improve the situation of people with a low purchasing power; prevent overexploitation, job insecurity, and illegal work; prevent fraud by companies against their employees; allow higher taxes to be levied on high incomes; and enable economic development through empowering groups at risk of exclusion by dignifying them and thus contributing to a fairer and more egalitarian society.

These and other questions will be addressed in this second discussion on Basic Income – featuring Pepe Fernández Albertos, Aina Vidal, and Philippe Van Parijs.

Context:

This event is part of the Green Red Dialogues. The main purpose of this series of talks is to reflect on current issues from a green and social perspective. At a time when we have to face the global challenges as a result of COVID-19, it is important to reflect on a green way out of the crisis. The current capitalist system has demonstrated that it promotes social inequality and that it attacks the planet, and therefore, all the inhabitants of the earth. We must urgently reverse the effects of the climate crisis and promote socially just and environmentally friendly models. We need to ensure that these proposals reach citizens, and explain that it is compatible with the economy, progress and development.

The first dialogue dealt with green responses to the health and climate crisis.

Speakers:

Philippe Van Parijs, professor of philosophy and key promoter of basic income.

Pepe Fernández Albertos, doctor in political science from Harvard University and researcher at the Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.

Aina Vidal, deputy at the Congress of Deputies of En Comú-Podem.

Moderator: Marc Rius

Practicalities:

Date: September 17th (18:00 – 19:15 CEST)

This event will take place in Spanish and English, with simultaneous translation provided via Zoom.

You can join the Zoom call directly here. The webinar will also be livestreamed on the YouTube channel of Fundació Nous Horitzons.


This event is organised by the Green European Foundation, with the support of Fundació Nous Horitzons and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

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