Jean Jacques Rousseau Lecture
On contemporary social challenges and modernising the European social model
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778) was a French philosopher of the Enlightenment whose political ideas influenced the French Revolution and the development of socialist theory. In 1762 he published “Du Contrat Social,” a widely read tract in which he argued that society avoids the descent into barbarism by defining a contract among its members, setting out the rights and duties of all participants towards one another.
The Jean Jacques Rousseau Lecture focuses on the future of the European social model.
2009
Aart de Geus, deputy secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)
"Making Reform Happen"
Download Aart de Geus’ presentation
2008
Ján Figel´, European Commissioner for education, training and culture
European Commission
"Skills for the 21st Century"
Download Commissioner Figel's remarks
2007
Andreas Schleicher, project director, Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, OECD
"Europe's Skills Challenge: Developing Competencies for the 21st Century"
Download Mr. Schleicher's presentation slides
2006
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, president, Party of European Socialists ; former prime minister, Denmark
“The New Social Europe”
Download Mr. Rasmussen's remarks here
2005
Vladimir Špidla, commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, European Commission
Download Commissioner Spidla’s remarks
2004
Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, minister of economy, the Netherlands; chairman, Competitiveness Council during Dutch EU presidency in second half of 2004
“A Social Contract for the 21st Century”
Download Minister Brinkhorst’s remarks here
