Ms. Diamantopoulou, EC Commissioner responsible for Employment and Social Affairs, addressed a seminar on the social dimension of globalization organized by the European Commission and the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. The seminar focused on how the European model is addressing social and economic change,and on the challenges and consequences of globalization. Ms. T. Halonen, President of Finland, represented the World Commission.

Ms. Diamantopoulou called for international cooperation to tackle poverty in a global context and to deal with the causes and consequences of terrorism and conflict. She acknowledged the merits of the European Social Model when it comes to maintaining social solidarity, but stressed the need for a strategic vision of the enlarged Union's future. "Trade, investment flows, technology transfer and labour movements should be treated as part of an overall strategy aimed at improving the conditions of the poorest nationals, without penalizing the poorest members of society in the stronger countries." She emphasized that the EU sees freedom, democracy and equality as fundamental conditions for economic success. Finally, she praised the role the ILO has played in upholding the rule of law and respecting human dignity and expressed her full support for the work of the World Commission.