Universal and non-exclusive rights, brought to practice and guaranteed, including all minority and gender equality rights.

This means between

• social classes
• regions / territories
• generations (present and future)
• Europe and the rest of the world
• economic sectors (winners / losers)
• sexes -> for gender equality

Only possible with an increase of budgets in order to redistribute wealth, for example via "structural funds".

needs further analysis.

Some convergence on principles, but different ideas on how to implement them.

• decide on a list of social rights for all Europeans.
• define the minimal levels of social benefits according to the wealth of the country (minimum level of income expressed along GDP)
• launch a process of upwards social and ecological convergence, based on best current standards (constant monitoring, no going down)

During the ECOFIN-meetings, organise alternative meetings. These questions seem to be of top priority convergence, in all 3 groups.

In plenary, it is proposed to create a working group about these questions, possibly with participation of some scientific councils. Someone should volunteer to coordinate the writing of a first draft.

Also called « non regressive upwards harmonization model »

• principle of the host country with harmonization in the future : transnational rights for all European workers (e.g. outsourcing, strike right ...)

Top priority, convergence.

Means that local rules come first, as long as there is no harmonization.

• develop strong public services which are not submitted to competition and sufficiently financed.
• education, healthcare and culture seen as public goods
• upwards harmonization of quality between European countries
• bear in mind the language problems within the institutions and between the citizens

Economy for the citizens. Human-scale economy.

• in the short run, focus on tax initiatives and upward harmonisation models, in order to prevent fiscal dumping
• lower taxes on basic products
• fairer indirect taxes.
• Tobin Tax
• Top priority

Example : Attac Germany idea of a corridor model.

• Which environmental limits to (economic) growth ?
• Discussing about alternative economic and social models (especially environmental).
• Make the link between ecological and social topics. See the new ecological issue as part of the « old » social issue.

Regarding alternative economic and social models, the relation to other ways of thinking should be elaborated (Keynesian traditions).

Take care the way capitalism tackles the challenge of ecology, by developing data-technology, bio-technology (presented as an answer to pollution) and tourism.

All this discussion: good point for a (European) Attac summer university.

• no to militarization
• military use must be only defensive. No aggression.
• independent of NATO (convergence).
• Which foreign policy for EU with the rest of the world ?

E.g.: - What if a socialist Europe would be threatened by the US military power ??? - What if help of EU forces is asked by a UN-like body for peace-keeping ???

Another Europe is not possible without another world.

• The respect for other social and economic models in the World. The integration of Europe can only work as an example ; it should not impose itself as a model for other countries. Yet, a truly social Europe would be seen as an alternative for many.
• Global justice as policy of EU within the world and international organizations. (Trade policies. Development. Immigration.) In the same time, being aware of the global south (developing countries) when looking at the aims of our social Europe.
• Reinforcing European independence: since European policies are strongly influenced by USA, we cannot build the Europe we want as long as we are not really independent from USA.
• Other idea: alternatives on public financing in the South, community-based financing (seminar from Attac Finland in Bamako WSF).

Issue for debate : migration versus trade policy / national interest. Look if the defence of the European social model / policy would not create more troubles for poor people in the South.

Appeared in two groups.

Medium priority, convergence strong in some groups.

Taking into account the fact that social movements from the South (but also in USA) see our social Europe as an alternative model, in comparison to (North-American) neoliberalism.

Point of discussion

Independence is not only military independence, but also - in the IMF, WTO, World Bank - regarding corporate power

Let's go for more « emotional story-telling » in our reports, in the way we present things.