Previous Amigos

There is a raging debate about transport policy in Europe - made more visible as the EU admits 10 new member countries. Everyone complains that long vehicles clog our motorways, yet how else can we supply what consumers demand?

The Bush administration promised to introduce the “ownership society”. A centrepiece of this policy is individual empowerment for retirement by means of personal accounts for every citizen. This would bring both responsibility for savings, greater wealth and reduction of government debt.

Rendering Social Security to its beneficiaries will also contain the ultimate choice: those who prefer greater risk and returns in the form of investment on capital markets are free to opt out; whereas risk-averse citizens may choose to remain in the current system, albeit with lower benefits.

But with expanding federal expenditure, some fear that retirement reform may stall.

What are the causes behind the sclerosis in the Belgian labour market? Are the workings of the labour market in Belgium so dysfunctional that we have passed the point of no return? It is clear that labour market reform is essential if the Belgian economy is to thrive – but what policies should be adopted? Should Belgians take an Anglo-Saxon approach to labour market regulation – or should it follow the example of its continental neighbours?

The enlargement of Europe has forced countries to reevaluate every aspect of their government – including the precious welfare state. How can a country such as Belgium benefit from enlargement? Is the new outlook on Europe a force for good? Are the benefits of outsourcing greater than the social costs involved?

We looked at the fundamental nature of the social reform agenda in an enlarged Europe: Is France’s policy approach a beacon to be followed? Or do the new member states know better? What path would most benefit Belgium?

Following an introduction by the former President of the European Parliament, Mr. Pat Cox, four panelists representing "old" and "new" Europe debated their visions of social reform.

In the coming years, biotechnology will enable us to identify, understand, manipulate, improve and control living organisms (including ourselves). Better disease control, custom drugs, gene therapy, age mitigation and reversal, memory drugs, prosthetics, bionic implants, animal transplants and many other advances may continue to increase the human life span and improve quality of life. It is quite possible that these new technologies will radically transform public health and healthcare for those who cannot now afford such care, while also enabling unprecedented levels of care for those who can. But what will be the impact of this impending technological revolution on the provision of healthcare? Will the current model of healthcare insurance be able to cope?