Press Release: First EU-Brazil Round Table: civil society to be brought into EU-Brazil relations

On 7-8 July 2009 the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in conjunction with the Brazilian Council for Economic and Social Development (CDES), will hold the first ever European Union - Brazil Civil Society Round Table. A joint Final Declaration will be drawn up on 8 July and submitted to the EU-Brazil Heads of State Summit. Discussions will cover the social consequences of the financial crisis as well as energy resources and climate change. The event will provide an opportunity to strengthen civil society dialogue, enhance communication and mutual understanding between Brazil and the EU as well as to highlight the unique role that civil society consultative bodies play in relations between them.