IKV Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas attended the meeting of the “Consultative Commission on Industrial Change” (CCMI) under the European Economic and Social Committee, representing IKV with the status of “Enlargement Candidate Member” on 24 September 2024.

In the discussion session titled “Industry 5.0: Towards a Systemic Change”, the opinion prepared by the CCMI Commission rapporteurs Giuseppe Guerini and Guido Nelissen was voted and adopted. In the panel discussion following the vote, three civil society organisations invited from Türkiye as a candidate state for accession were given the floor. On behalf of IKV, Assoc. Prof. Nas made a presentation titled “Industry 5.0 Process in Türkiye: Problems and Opportunities”. The other speakers were KAGIDER Brussels Representative Ayşe Yürekli and HAK-İŞ Representative Cavit Demiral.

In her speech, Assoc. Prof. Nas mentioned that Industry 5.0 is a new concept in Türkiye and revealed its differences with Industry 4.0. She emphasised that Industry 5.0, which draws attention to a human-centred, sustainable and resilient industrial policy, is a suitable approach for the Turkish economy, which has a relatively young population and needs to create new jobs. Assoc. Prof. Nas stated that digital access, technological infrastructure, a workforce with digital skills, business environments where the representation of the workforce is strong and effective digitalisation strategies are needed for Industry 5.0 to be implemented appropriately.

The status of “Enlargement Candidate Member” (ECM), an honorary title granted by the European Economic and Social Committee, enables elected civil society representatives from EU candidate countries to participate in the work of the Committee without being a member, in reference to their candidate country status. They can attend meetings to which they are invited, express their opinions and participate in discussions. However, as they are not members, they do not have the right to vote. The CCMI Commission, to which IKV was invited, examines the changes in industry and different sectors in line with the “European Economic and Social Model” and the effects of these changes in terms of employment, social and structural policy, sustainable development, energy transformation. The digital transformation in industry and its sectoral and public impacts are also among the topics under scrutiny. In its field, the Commission may publish mandatory opinions, optional opinions at the request of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, opinions and reports on its own initiative, and organize conferences and hearings.