HEC Montreal (Canada), in partnership with the University of Northampton, ESSCA and Foreign Trade University, will host the Social Business Creation (SBC) global conference in 2023 which will take place between 15 and 20 June. The event will bring together experts, researchers, practitioners and students from around the world to discuss social entrepreneurship and innovation.

The European Commission has proposed new rules for economic governance that are fit for the future. These new rules aim to make the EU's Economic and Monetary Union more resilient to future crises and better able to support sustainable and inclusive growth. The proposed rules include changes to the Stability and Growth Pact, which sets out the EU's fiscal rules, and new measures to improve economic coordination and surveillance.

The European Commission is proposing an overhaul of pharmaceutical legislation in the European Union. This reform is considered the biggest in more than 20 years and aims to increase agility, flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of citizens and businesses across the EU. The proposed revision will improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines, while supporting innovation and enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU pharmaceutical industry. It will also promote higher environmental standards, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Today, 26 April, Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve  in partnership with the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra hosted an Open Masterclass on Social Innovation and Territorial Dynamics under the European project Atlantic Social Lab.The event was presented by Professor Hugo Pinto, the principal investigator of CES. The main aim of the masterclass was to provide a perspective on social innovation, drawing on his experiences in the Atlantic Social Lab and briefly present the research conducted in this project since 2017.

The 2023 European Public Employment Services (PES) Network Stakeholder Conference was a professional gathering aimed at empowering the workforce and bridging the skills gap. The conference brought together around 150 participants in Brussels on 30 March 2023 as part of the European Year of Skills. The event focused on discussing strategies to improve the skills of the European workforce and address the challenges posed by the skills gap.

On April 18th, the European Commission approved a proposal for the EU Cyber Solidarity Act with the aim of enhancing cyber security capabilities within the European Union. The act is designed to promote a secure and safe digital environment for both citizens and businesses, while also safeguarding critical facilities and essential services such as hospitals and public utilities. The proposal includes measures to increase cooperation among member states in responding to cyber attacks, establish a framework for assessing cyber risks, and improve the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The European Commission has adopted a proposal to improve digital education across Europe. The plan aims to equip citizens with the skills and competences they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The proposal includes measures such as promoting the use of digital technologies in education, supporting the development of digital skills among teachers, and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality digital infrastructure.

On May 18th, a variety of social innovation projects taking place across Europe will be highlighted at the Social Innovation Fair Event in Glasgow Caledonian University. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit booths set up by partner organisations, where they can learn more about each project and its impact. Additionally, one-hour sessions will be hosted by different projects, allowing attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the work being done.

The European Parliament recently adopted new rules aimed at tackling the gender pay gap through mandatory pay transparency measures. The new legislation requires companies with more than 250 employees to publish information on the gender pay gap within their organisation. This includes providing data on the average salaries of male and female employees, as well as information on bonuses and other benefits.

On April 11th, the Commission initiated the first round of consultations with European social partners regarding a potential revision of the European Works Councils Directive. This consultation is a result of the European Parliament's legislative own-initiative resolution of February 2023, which requested a revision of the Directive.