The European Committee of the Regions and the European Alliance for Apprenticeships are organising a joint high-level conference this week. At the opening session on 3 June, the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit and the chair of the CoR's SEDEC Commission Anne Karjalainen highlighted the pivotal role of regions and cities in providing quality and effective apprenticeships for all.

Första vice ordförande Vasco Alves Cordeiro och SEDEC-utskottets ordförande Anne Karjalainen företrädde Europeiska regionkommittén vid EU:s sociala toppmöte i Porto den 7–8 maj. De välkomnade EU:s stats- och regeringschefers åtagande att intensifiera arbetet för ett socialt Europa, stärka den sociala sammanhållningen och nå EU:s överordnade mål för sysselsättning, kompetens och fattigdomsminskning. De beklagade dock att man i den slutliga förklaringen från toppmötet inte omnämner de regionala och lokala myndigheternas roll.

​The Social Summit in Porto must affirm a strong commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights and its headline targets, involving all levels of government

António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, and European Parliament President, David Sassoli, will attend on 5 May the CoR Plenary session to discuss social Europe and the upcoming Conference on the future of Europe. On 6 May regional and local leaders will discuss with Commissioner Helena Dalli how to strengthen a Europe of equality. On 7 May a debate on the recovery in the hotel and catering sector will take place with Jens Zimmer Christensen, President of the HOTREC Association, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe. On 7 May Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, will discuss with regional and local authorities the CoR contribution to the Conference on the Future of Europe, in his capacity as chairman of the High-Level Group on European Democracy recently created by the CoR.