Roundtable debates onCreating a Just Tax System in Europe

Vilnius 27th January 201409:30-15:30

Place: Vilnius University Faculty of Philosophy, Conference Hall (II floor), Universiteto g. 9/1Working language: English

ContextGlobal tax systems have become increasingly regressive over the last 25 years as a result of the shift from business taxation to consumption and labour taxation. Big businesses in developed countries have come out as clear winners whilst the poorest households both in developing and developed countries have been paying more of their income in tax. Furthermore, the increased use of tax heavens by wealthy people and corporations has caused a significant shift in the distribution of the tax burden, with a large number of rich people being able to avoid paying taxes or being given advantageous treatment. This has ultimately led to a significant increase in income inequalities within and between nations.

Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in collaboration with Demos (Lithuania), Brïvïbas Un Solidaritätes Fonds (Latvia) and the Johannes Mihkelson Centre (Estonia) organize a series of roundtable debates on how to create a just tax system in Europe. The first roundtable debate will take place in Vilnius on 27th January 2014 and will cover the following issues:

1. What are the causes of tax injustice?2. What are the characteristics of a fair tax system in Europe and at global level?3. Can fair tax systems also promote positive economic development?4. How can equity be promoted through the tax system?5. What institutional and economic changes are needed, both at national and international level, to

address tax injustice, tax evasion and avoidance?

Experts and ParticipantsCharlotte Billingham, FEPS, BelgiumGiovanni Cozzi, FEPS, BelgiumErvins Labanovskis, Freedom and Solidarity Foundation, LatviaGints Turlajs, CEO, Smart Continent LV Ekoterm SIA, SIA Institute, LatviaMārtiņš Svirskis, Free Trade Union Confederation of LatviaEgils Baldzēns, Vice Chairman of Latvia’s Free Trade UnionJānis Berziņš, Industrial Relations expert, Latvia.Heiki Järveveer, Secretary General, Johannes Mihklesoni Centre, EstoniaPeep Peterson, President of Estonian Trade Union ConfederationAlgirdas Sysas, MP, Vice-Chairman of Lithuanian ParliamentDaiva Skučienė, Lithuanian Social Research CentreJolanta Aidukaitė, Director of the Institute of Sociology, Lithuania

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Inga Blažienė, Institute of Labour and Social Research, LithuaniaViginta Ivaškaitė-Tamošiūnė, Institute of Social Welfare, LithuaniaRasa Zabarauskaitė, Institute of Labour and Social Research, LithuaniaGražina Gruzdienė, Lithuanian Trade Union of Food ProducersAušra Maldeikienė, Economic Expert, LithuaniaJolanta Bielskienė, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, LithuaniaTomas Tomilinas, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, LithuaniaAndrius Bielskis, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, LithuaniaDžina Donauskaitė, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, LithuaniaTadas Leončikas, Demos Institute of Critical Though, Lithuania

You are welcome to join participants‘ list by registering at dzina @demos.lt

Programme

09.30 Arrival, registration

09.40 Introduction of the Open Seminar’s Goals and overall Project Idea (Andrius Bielskis, Demos; Charlotte Billingham, FEPS)

09.50 Introduction of Experts and Participants

Part I - Open Seminar

10.00- 11.30

Experts‘ discussion I (chairing: Andrius Bielskis, Demos)

Q1. What are the causes of tax injustice?Q2. What are the characteristics of a fair tax system in Europe and at global level?Q3. Can fair tax systems also promote positive economic development?

11.30-12.00 Coffee Break

12.00 – 13.00

Experts‘ Discussion II (chairing: Tomas Tomilinas, Demos)

Q4. How can equity be promoted through the tax system?Q5. What institutional and economic changes are needed, both at national and international level, to address tax injustice, tax evasion and avoidance

Summing up (Ervins Labanovskis, Freedom of Solidarity Foundation; Heiki Järveveer, Johannes Mihklesoni Centre)

13.00- 14.00 Lunch Break

Part II - 14.00-15.30 Project Team Meeting

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