The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, spoke about European social policy at the Pere Tarrés Youth Hostel in Barcelona (http://www.peretarres.org/alberg/) last 26 January. Mr. Pöttering's talk was part of the Pere Tarrés Social Forum, as series of lectures which for more than 3 years has been regularly bringing together people from Barcelona's associational, social and economic life at the Pere Tarrés youth hostel.
The event consists of a brief talk followed by a discussion held in the relaxing atmosphere of a table-served lunch which all attendees take part in. The Pere Tarrés Youth Hostel features a large room called "La Cuina de l'Alberg" (The Hostel's Kitchen) which serves meals to hostel guests and can also be used as a meeting room. It is here that the discussions which have become a reference point in Barcelona's political and social life are held. On this occasion some 180 people, including members of the public, third sector organisations, consuls, members of parliament, journalists and political figures such as the President of the Parliament of Catalonia, Ernest Benach, and the former President of Catalonia, Jordi Pujol, came to the Pere Tarrés Foundation's "Cuina de l'Alberg".
In his talk at the Pere Tarrés Social Forum (www.peretarres.org/forum), Mr. Pöttering defended the social economy and investment in education and continuous learning as ways of overcoming the economic crisis being experienced in Europe at the moment.
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