The 2d Nantes Meeting on Public Services aims to build on the ideas sketched out during the first forum in December 2012, entitled "A new approach to public services", with panels of European stakeholders and stakeholders in the field. As the European elections and the appointment of the new Commission draw nearer, this "new approach" is more important than ever. The social, economic and environmental crises currently rocking the entire European Union highlight the role of shock absorber that public services play. As the consequences of the crises plaguing the European Union have worsened, Public services' shock-absorbing effect could have bolstered to meet increased social demand. Unfortunately, budget policies have tended to lean the other way, cutting their funding and, consequently, their ability to act.

These issues are made all the more pressing by the fact that Member States are beginning to transpose the European Commission's 2011 provisions on public service funding and management, and in particular social services (Almunia package). This second forum will provide an opportunity to discuss future challenges, such as: - Will these provisions make it possible to effectively respond to the issues facing European citizens and their elected representatives? What changes must be made to ensure they do? - Can the notion of common good, in which services of general interest play a front-line role, help rise to the challenges currently facing the European Union? Can it imbue the European Union with a positive and meaningful image at a time when a growing number of European citizens blame it in part for the difficulties they are going through? Panels will discuss these questions around several topical themes in European affairs, in particular water and social housing.

With the participation of: - Laurent GHEKIERE, SSIG.fr Collective and CECODHAS - Sabine MARTORELL, French section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) - Michaela KAUER, Representative Office of the City of Vienna in Brussels - Jean Claude BOUAL, Consultant, CELSIG - Stéphane DAUPHIN, General Director, Nantes-Habitat - Representative of the Secretariat General for European Union Affairs France (SGAE) - tbc - Marie GASTALDI, Head of Unit, Europe, Lille Métropole - Franck SAVAGE, Director, Nantes Métropole Aménagement - Philippe AIGRAIN, Essayist, analyst of the “Communs” - Representative of the Committee of the Regions - tbc - Representative of the Public Services Intergroup - tbc - Carola FISCHBACH-PYTTEL, Secretary General of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) - Raymond HENCKS, Rapporteur European Economic and Social Committee - Valeria RONZITTI, Secretary General of the European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services (CEEP) Free registration required: http://www.eventbrite.fr/event/8170394871