Young European Socialists (YES), the umbrella organisation for socialist and social democratic youth in Europe, held its yearly summer camp in Terrasini, Sicily (Italy), from 19 -24 July. For one week, more than a thousand young socialists and social democrats from all over Europe gathered to share their views and ideas through discussions, workshops, political seminars and conferences.
On behalf of the PES Group, Benedetta Brighenti, Vice-Mayor of Castelnuovo Rangone (Italy) and CoR rapporteur on the Local and regional dimension of the sharing economy, took part in a panel debate on "Creating Jobs in the 21st Century - mission impossible?".
The debates focused on the fundamental change of paradigm in the working world. "Due to increasingly precarious working conditions, young people, who are very qualified, flexible and connected, are facing enormous difficulties when it comes to the very basic questions in their life, such as building a family", Brighenti underlined. "Progressive forces all over Europe have the important task of taking on political leadership at this important historical moment, both by encouraging investment in innovation and by sufficiently protecting the younger generation. Cities and regions can play an important role here."
The round table also discussed the new 'type of worker', born after the digitalisation of the market, and the opportunities and shortcomings of the sharing economy. "The sharing economy is a growing part of the economy and has potential to improve quality of life and foster growth and jobs, especially in local economies", pointed out Brighenti. "At the same time, we have to ensure that sharing-economy platforms do not allow businesses to avoid tax, or bypass social security and consumer protection rules. We need a holistic, coordinated approach at European level that respects the ambivalent character of the sharing economy", she concluded.
