The ECRC is happy to see that DG JUST will have a seminar on Overindebtedness and debt advice to consumers at their European Consumer Summit on 1 and 2 June 2015. Discussed will be issues around the Digital Single Market and the Energy Union, and the importance of better implementation and enforcement of the law, especially in the digital environment, and the role of debt advice for consumers to tackle situations of over-indebtedness. (programme available on http://ec.europa.eu/consumer-summit)
The European Commission Directorate-General Justice and Consumers has the pleasure to invite you to the European Consumer Summit on 1-2 June 2015 in Brussels. This year's Summit is dedicated to 'Shaping the consumer policy of the future'. The focus will be on the most topical consumer policy issues which link directly or indirectly with the policy priorities of Commission President Juncker.
The morning session of the first day will include a high level session in the European Commission Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, B-1000 Brussels. In the afternoon four thematic seminars will take place simultaneously in the Albert Borschette Conference Centre, Rue Froissart 36, B-1040 Brussels. The second day of the Summit which will again take place in the Charlemagne building, will focus on consumer priorities and the future of consumer policy. Over the years, the European Consumer Summit has become a valuable occasion to increase awareness on consumer policy and a key tool to mainstream consumer interests in EU policies. It has gathered several hundreds of European and international policy makers and stakeholders, including representatives from governments, national authorities, consumer organisations and business.
Over-indebtedness – the role of debt advice
Objective: to map best practices on debt advice in Member States, building on the outcome of the over-indebtedness study carried out by the Commission. The Seminar will focus on the most common ways in which debt-advice is provided in the EU; on how personalised nature of debt-advice can be delivered, on the funding of debt-advice at national level and the effectiveness and positive outcome of debt-advice.
14.45 – 17.00 Presentations and debate
The workshop will be structured around 5 main issues, introduced by a presentation and followed by a debate with the audience. Additional speakers will also be requested to complete the introductory presentation issues during the debate.
Moderator: Olivier Micol, Head of Unit, financial services and redress, DG Justice and Consumers
A landscape of the different ways debt advice is provided in the EU
The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of the different types of debt-advice providers (and the nature of their activity across the EU.
To introduce the discussion, the following speaker will deliver a presentation:
- Ms Daniela Vandone, from the University of Milano (TBC)
The presentation will be followed by a debate with the audience.
The effectiveness of personalised debt advice as a tool to address over-indebtedness and the positive effects of combating over-indebtedness on society and the economy
The purpose of this session is to explore the effectiveness of a personalised/standardised approach to debt advice as a tool to address over-indebtedness. In addition, the session will also look at what effect a reduction of over-indebted individuals/households has on the macro-economic well-being of society as a whole.
To introduce the discussions, the following speaker will deliver a presentation:
- Mr Henrik Graber, from Kerk-in-Actie (TBC)
The presentation will be followed by a debate with the audience.
The different elements and process used to deliver effective debt advice
The purpose of this session is to reflect on what should be the aims of debt-advice and the most effective ways and procedures to ensure best results.
To introduce the discussions, the following speaker will deliver a presentation:
- Mr Olivier Jerusalmy, from EFIN (European Financial Inclusion Network) (TBC)
The presentation will be followed by a debate with the audience.
Funding of debt-advice across the EU
The purpose of this session is to look at the way debt advice is funded across the EU, focusing in particular on some key examples, and identify best practices.
To introduce the discussions, the following speaker will deliver a presentation:
- Ms Elaine Kempson, Bristol University (TBC)
The presentation will be followed by a debate with the audience.
The usefulness of effective personalised debt advice for creditors
The purpose of this session is to explore the impacts of effective/successful debt advice on creditors. It will also discuss the effects of debt advice on the servicing of the debt, including in comparison to other tools aimed at alleviating over-indebtedness of household borrowers.
To introduce the discussions, the following speaker will deliver a presentation:
- A representative from the banking industry (speaker TBC)
The presentation will be followed by a debate with the audience.
17.00 – 17.30 Conclusions and key messages from the workshop to report to the Summit plenary session on Day 2
Rapporteur: Anne Fily, BEUC
|
