Minister of Employment

II International Employment Congress and I "Merkalan" Training and Job Fair 2019

The creation of Quality Employment is one of the Basque Governments Department of Employment and Social Policies main objectives. This initiative is strategic and a priority on the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Agenda Euskadi Basque Country 2030 and is the European Commissions chief priority.

The promotion of quality, inclusive employment requires close collaboration between public institutions and all social agents. In order to drive shared reflection on the challenges and opportunities underlying the creation of quality employment, the Basque Governments Department of Employment and Social Policies has organised the II International Employment Conference in Donostia-San Sebastián.

Over the course of five work sessions, the II International Employment Congress will analyse different essential issues involved with creating quality employment: the framework and global trends, leadership and the vision of European and international institutions, the strategies of benchmark countries and regions, successful business and financial initiatives, the access of youth to employment, and investment in a participatory, inclusive company model.

This edition, this shared reflection is accompanied by a specific initiative to improve access to quality employment, Merkalan, the I Training and Job Fair by Lanbide (Basque Employment Service). Merkalan will be ramping up the collaboration between different actors who participate in designing and executing active employment policies and facilitate the intermediation of people and companies in employment and training.

Basque youth, like all European youth, need stimuli and support to guarantee their emancipation, and thus enjoy exceptional well-being in a solidary, engaged and cohesive society. Employment plays a fundamental role here within the changes, challenges and opportunities we are discover in this new technological era. The event, at the Kursaal Palace in Donostia-San Sebastián, is a wonderful occasion for debate and analysis.




Beatriz Artolazabal
Minister of Employment and Social Policies of the Basque Government