After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.
After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.
The festivities began with remarks from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU who shared a hopeful perspective for the future of European innovation and the transatlantic relationship. The audience then had the opportunity to enjoy a cello concert from Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists Hayoung Choi and Yibai Chen.
The highlight of the evening, however, was the presentation of this year’s Youth Entrepreneurship Award, in collaboration with JA Europe. For the last decade, AmCham EU has been proud to support entrepreneurship in Europe, and this year, as part of the European Year of Youth and in line with the mission of the EMPOWER HER initiative, the Executive Council doubled down on their commitment. All three finalists will receive mentorship from the business minds of European CEOs. There could only be one winner and the top prize went to Sweden’s Ida Norström, CEO, Energy Effective Solutions. Norström works to provide energy-efficient electrical installations for companies and private individuals, and her company is the fastest growing in her country’s sector.
AmCham EU also made a contribution to the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and has been glad to support the young musicians, even when we could only hear their performances virtually the last two years. Learn more about how AmCham EU gives back here.
A big thank you is in order for sponsor ExxonMobil. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s 60th anniversary gala, set for Wednesday, 28 June 2023.
Together with industry associations representing a wide range of sectors, AmCham EU has signed a joint statement calling for the upcoming Circular Economy Act to be grounded in an internal market legal basis. The statement highlights the need for harmonised EU rules to address fragmentation in waste management systems across Member States and support the development of a functioning Single Market for secondary raw materials. It also underlines the importance of a consistent EU framework to strengthen circularity, improve waste management performance and support investment in recycling and resource efficiency.
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On Tuesday, 24 February, AmCham EU hosted Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General, Jobs, Skills and Social Policies, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission to discuss how closing the skills gap can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. As shortages across sectors continue to affect productivity, investment and innovation, participants reflected on progress one year after the launch of the Union of Skills and the importance of sustained public-private cooperation. The discussion explored how Europe can build a future-ready workforce to support the green and digital transitions while addressing labour market mismatches. Aurelia Takacs (Cisco), Chair, Social Impact, Inclusion and Skills Committee, AmCham EU moderated the discussion and examined practical policy solutions to strengthen skills development, improve labour market alignment and support inclusive economic growth.
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Four years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the anniversary of the invasion, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggression. It is a breach of international law and an assault on the values we stand for. The Ukrainian people have continued to demonstrate commendable bravery in the face of adversity and a growing humanitarian crisis.
American companies in Europe remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and are committed to the country’s reconstruction and recovery, underpinned by closer integration with the EU. Once peace is secured, the scale of the task ahead will be immense. Recent estimates from the World Bank put the cost of reconstruction and recovery at $588 billion over the next decade, underscoring both the urgency of action and the need to mobilise investment at unprecedented levels.
In the past year, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic have launched initiatives to encourage security and future prosperity in Ukraine, not least the Ukraine Support Loan, the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and the Flagship European Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. American businesses stand ready to support the success of these efforts, which can only fully achieve their objectives with long-term security and stability in Ukraine.
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