 East
versus West: Who does it better? Our panelists and speakers will attempt
to answer this question on each of three key issues:
The first of three panels will discuss Health and Social Security
Reform. All European countries are now struggling to lessen the
inflexibilities of the traditional, State-based welfare model. How
can they move towards new systems, more adept at providing enough
wealth to support an ageing and increasingly consumerist population?
Some, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, have taken radical
steps to introduce the market into health care and to privatize social
security. But many in Western Europe still remain wedded to a large
role for government. How have CEE countries' economies and public
services fared since these reforms were put in place, what still needs
to be done and what are the lessons from the East for the West?
The second panel will take on Taxes, Competition and Regulation.
Which parts of Europe understand best how to create the conditions
for a competitive market and a flourishing economy? Are flat taxes,
already introduced in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and even Russia,
the right way to go and, if so, why do Western countries such as America
and Britain not follow suit? What impact is EU membership having on
new entrants and their bold moves towards low tax economies?
The final panel will address The Future Labour Market. What
impact would health and social security reform and greater tax competition
have on Europe's labour markets? Conversely, what effect will a shrinking,
more mobile labour force have on the prospects for social and economic
change?
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Thursday, 17 February 2005
Hotel Jolly du Grand Sablon
Rue Bodenbroeck 2/4, Brussels
Click here for a city
map
and directions to the Hotel Jolly.
Please send an e-mail to Terry
O'Dwyer if you would like to attend. Please specify any dietary
restrictions for the menu.
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9.30 - 9.45
Arrival and Coffee
9.45 - 10.00
Introduction
Dr Tim EVANS, President, CNE
Opening Remarks
Helen DISNEY, Director, Stockholm Network
10.00 - 10.15
Keynote Speech
Ivan MIKLOS, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister
PANEL ONE: Health and Social Security Reform
All European countries are now struggling to lessen the inflexibilities
of the traditional, State-based welfare model. How can they move towards
new systems, more adept at providing enough wealth to support an ageing
and increasingly consumerist population? Some, particularly in Central
and Eastern Europe have taken radical steps to introduce the market
into health care and to privatize social security. But many in Western
Europe still remain wedded to a large role for government. How have
CEE countries' economies and public services fared since these reforms
were put in place, what still needs to be done and what are the lessons
from the East for the West?
10.15-10.30
Keynote Speech
Adam MICHNIK, Editor, Warsaw Gazette
10.30-11.15
Panel Responses
Stephen POLLARD, Political Columnist and Senior Fellow, CNE (Moderator)
Matus PETRIK, Institute for Free Society, Slovakia
Pavel HROBON, HealthReform.cz
Ivan CSABA, Health Economist, Economic Advisor, Alliance of Free Democrats,
Hungary
11.15-11.45
Audience Q&A
PANEL TWO: Tax, Competition and Regulation
Which parts of Europe understand best how to create the conditions
for a competitive market and a flourishing economy? Are flat taxes,
already introduced in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and even Russia, the
right way to go and, if so, why do Western countries such as America
and Britain, not follow suit? What impact is EU membership having on
new entrants and their bold moves towards low tax economies?
11.45 - 12.00
Keynote Speech
Dan MITCHELL, Heritage Foundation
12.00 - 12.45
Panel Responses
Gideon RACHMAN, Brussels Editor, The Economist (Moderator)
Andrei GRECU, Princeton University & Visiting Fellow, Adam Smith Institute
Stephen O'CONNOR, CEO, Budapest Business Journal
Ignius TRUMPA, Lithuanian Free Market Institute
Edit HERCZOG, MEP - Hungary
12.45-1.15
Audience Q&A
1.15 - 2.30
Lunch
PANEL THREE: The Future Labour Market
What impact would health and social security reform and greater
tax competition have on Europe's labour markets? Conversely, what effect
will a shrinking, more mobile labour force have on the prospects for
social and economic change?
2.30-2.45
Keynote Speech
Christopher FJELLNER, MEP, Sweden
2.45-3.30
Panel Responses
Brian CARNEY, The Wall Street Journal (Moderator)
Johnny MUNKHAMMAR, Director, Timbro
Prof. Gabriel CALZADA, CNE FELLOW, SPAIN
3.30-4.00
Audience Q&A
4.00
Closing
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