At a high-level event in Brussels civil society brought two key messages to the table. If the EU wants to do things differently than other global players it should involve civil society. "By talking to trade unions, social health insurance organisations and other social movements and by involving them in the design of programmes, you ensure that the policy effectively responds to people's needs. You also get more ownership from the population." And second, don’t be shy to actively promote the core pillars of the European social model, including solid and universal social protection systems. If Europe doesn’t actively promote redistribution, social dialogue and decent working conditions, who will?