CEEP will organise in 2015 the second edition of the Public Service Summit. The event will take place in Brussels on 20 and 21 May 2015.

Besides to offering networking opportunities, it will bring together European leaders of public services and decision-makers around the topic ‘Re-investing in Europe: Investing in Public Services’. Keynote speakers will include Mr Jyrki Katainen (European Commission VP for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness), Mr Dominique Ristori (Director General of DG Energy, European Commission) and Mr Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy).

During this 2-day conference, the panel discussions will tackle the following issues:

• Investing in public services and creating sustainable growth
The Investment Plan of the European Commission intends to get past the economic crisis, by taking decisive steps towards meeting the long-term needs of the economy. Public services contribute to growth and to the swift of paradigm underway. During this opening panel, speakers will present the case for investments in public services, able to support the transition to a more sustainable growth.

• Investing in public services and creating sustainable jobs
The Investment Plan will contribute to create jobs. However, many discussions are taking place on the figures concerning its impact on job creation. For public services employers and providers, job creation remains a key priority of the Plan. Panelists will discuss the issue, with a particular focus on how Social partners and Social dialogue can contribute to maximise the job creation potential of the Investment Plan and related EU policy actions.

• Investing in digital infrastructures to modernise public services
Europe is developing a connected Digital Single Market. However, a Digital Single Market will only become a reality if modernisation of the infrastructures is taking place. This discussion will allow speakers to present how investments in digital infrastructures can contribute to growth and lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in public services, including public administration.

• Investing in physical infrastructures
Among the priority sectors to be targeted by the Plan, physical infrastructures are in the front line. Backbone of the European construction, network infrastructures among which energy and transport, can support its economic goals, as well as connecting Member States. EU policy makers and leaders of public services will contribute to the discussion, aiming at presenting how well-targeted investments in those sectors can be a catalyst for growth and cohesion at the European, regional and territorial levels.

• Investing in social infrastructures
Education and training, health, research and development, information and communications technology, innovation and social housing are key social infrastructures in which the Investment Plan can make a contribution. Panelists will debate and present examples about the ‘economic case’ of investing in social infrastructures.

Next to the debates and discussions, the first day of the event (Wednesday 20 May) will be followed by a networking cocktail from 18:00 to 21:00, at Park Side Brasserie. The cocktail will feature a beer tasting of the Babylone, a prime example of the circular economy made from recycled fresh bread.