The European Economic Social Committee (EESC), which is based in Brussels, is a consultative body that gives representatives of Europe's socio-occupational interest groups and others a formal platform to express their points of view on EU issues. Its opinions are addressed to the Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. The committee consists of three sections: employers, trade unions and civic society.
The presence of the Diversity Europe Group (Group III), alongside the Employers' Group and the Workers' Group, ensures that the Committee is a dynamic force and is empowered to give full voice to the concerns of the various social, occupational, economic and cultural organisations that make up civil society in the Member States. In line with the changes introduced in the Lisbon Treaty, Group III is made up of "other representatives and stakeholders of civil society, particularly in the economic, civic, professional and cultural field".
The unique feature which forges Group III's identity is the wide range of categories. Its members are drawn from farmers' organisations, small businesses, the crafts sector, the professions, social economy actors, consumer organisations, environmental organisations, associations representing the family, women's and gender equality issues, youth, minority and underprivileged groups, persons with disabilities, the voluntary sector and the medical, legal, scientific and academic communities.
The shared goal is to achieve real economic, social, and participatory democracy in the EU. The Group III motto is "Achieving real participatory democracy in the EU, through civil dialogue" and the ethos underpinning its activities fall under three pillars:
− Diversity in democracy
− Consensus building
− European civic engagement- local action
Amongst the Irish representatives on EESC is Séamus Boland, the CEO of Irish Rural Link (IRL), which represents the interests of locally-based rural groups in disadvantaged and marginalised rural areas by highlighting problems, advocating appropriate policies, sharing experiences and examples of good practice.
On October 27th 2020, Séamus became the first Irish person to take on the role of President of Diversity Europe Group, a position he will hold until 2023. Séamus has been a member of the European Economic Social Committee since October 2011 and a former vice-president the Diversity Europe Group.
Poverty and the role of civil society organisations in combatting it will be the focus of Séamus’ term of Presidency. It will be framed in the context of the European Green Deal and the impact of COVID-19 on people’s lives. In line with the overall topic of his Presidency, priorities of his term include:
− Addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on society.
− Implementing the Green Deal with all stakeholders, based on the Sustainable Development Goal "End poverty in all its forms everywhere".
− Involving civil society organisations, including European platforms, with the Group's work.
− Including all Group Members in the work as well as maintaining a strong gender balance.
− Promoting the Group's work to other institutions and the wider public more efficiently.