Target group
Officials from national administrations, Parliaments and EU institutions, as well as stakeholders such as social partners who are involved in fiscal, economic and social policies, and are directly or indirectly affected by European economic governance.

Description
The seminar explains the legal and economic foundations of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), and the recent reforms in economic governance resulting from the Euro crisis and its impact on Member States’ policies. After reviewing the evolution of EMU since its inception in 1992, the seminar discusses the four pillars of economic governance (fiscal surveillance, macroeconomic surveillance, socio-economic coordination and financial solidarity) and the functioning of the European Semester. The impact of the ‘six-pack’, the Fiscal Compact and the ‘two-pack’ will also be covered. The seminar concludes with an assessment of the reforms achieved so far and an outlook on the additional reforms discussed in the European Commission and the European Council.

Learning methodology
The seminar is strongly participant-focused. Issues and topics are introduced by succinct ex cathedra presentations and followed by short case study exercises based on an analysis of the Member States, thus enabling dynamic Q&A sessions. The programme concludes with a discussion session with EU practitioners on lessons learnt and future steps in the development of the economic governance regime.

Objectives
Upon completion of the seminar, participants will:
- understand the functioning of the European Semester and its impact on Member States’ socio-economic policies;
- have a clear grasp of the major stakeholders involved in economic governance;
- be familiar with the legal basis, as well as the design of the new economic governance regime;
- be able to understand and assess the mechanisms and instruments developed to address the Euro crisis.