The roundtable discussion invited scholars, experts, and policymakers to consider what advancing social justice means in the practical realm. The roundtable started with a keynote by Steven L. B. Jensen (The Danish Institute of Human Rights), addressing a relationship between social and economic rights, human rights and social movement from a longer-term perspective. The ensuing discussion, divided into two sections dedicated to (i) institutions of social partnership and social justice and (ii) workers and labour rights, emphasized issues relating to the reinforcement of actors’ role in social dialogue and partnership, the challenges of trade unions in the 21st century, the representation of citizens and their ideas of social justice, etc.

Roundtable program

10.00 – 10.15     Welcome
Sabine Kroissenbrunner, Secretary General of Bruno Kreisky Forum
Radka Šustrová, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Fellow, University of Vienna

10.15 – 11.30     Keynote by Steven L. B. Jensen (Danish Institute for Human Rights)

The Battle for “the Social”: History, Politics and the Significance of International Human Rights Justice Standards

Moderator: Agáta Šústová Drelová (Slovak Academy of Sciences)
11.30 – 11.40     Coffee Break

11.40 – 13.00 Panel 1: Institutions of social partnership and social justice

This panel will raise questions and discuss experiences of negotiating labour rights and equality within and among institutions of social dialogue while reflecting on internal settings to define and promote social justice in the workplace. Is social justice a reference point in your work? What are your priorities and strategies when leading discussions centred on economic growth? What has (or has not) worked well for you in conducting social dialogue? What role does the international arena play in leading negotiations with your social partners?

Speakers:

Paul Dvořak, Institute for Historical Social Research
Patrik Eichler, Masaryk Academy, Prague
Robin Maialeh, Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs & Škoda Auto University
Rafael Peels, International Labour Organisation
Silvia Rocha-Akis, Austrian Institute of Economic Research

Moderator: Radka Šustrová (Vienna University)

13.00 – 13.10 Coffee Break

13.10 – 14.30 Panel 2: Workers and labour rights

This panel will reflect on achieving fair treatment and workplace justice. What are your experiences in translating social justice ideals into workplace realities? Is ‘social justice’ a term that helps mobilize workers today? How do you reflect on (and cope with) differences between gender equality and justice as ideal and everyday practice? How can we guarantee labour rights and social equality for employees with foreign nationality?

Speakers:

Daniel Gordon, Edge Hill University
Kateřina Nedbálková, Masaryk University Brno
Rafael Peels, International Labour Organisation
Florian Wagner, Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie Österreich/Econgood Austria
Florian Wenninger, Institute for Historical Social Research

Moderator: Goran Musić (Vienna University)
14.30     Concluding words followed by buffet lunch, informal talks