The EU-LAC Foundation co-organised the session “Connecting Regions for the Well-being of Our Societies”, held in Montevideo as part of the event “Advancing the CELAC-EU Partnership after the Santa Marta Summit”.
This high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue, organised by the European Union and Uruguay’s Pro Tempore Presidency of CELAC, brought together representatives from governments, international organisations, academia, think tanks, civil society and the private sector to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for strengthening the bi-regional relationship following the Summit held in November 2025. This meeting provided a platform for exchange on areas of common interest where enhanced cooperation between CELAC and the EU can contribute to more effective, inclusive and balanced responses, while strengthening trust and mutual understanding between the two regions.
The session, moderated by Carlos Maza, Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator at the EU-LAC Foundation, featured the participation of Josefina Stubbs, Director of Regional Integration of the Dominican Republic; Valentina Perrotta, Deputy Director of the National Secretariat for Social Care at Uruguay’s Ministry of Social Development; Raquel Artecona, Director of ECLAC’s National Office in Uruguay; María José Romero, Policy and Advocacy Manager – Development Finance at the European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD); and Cristina Prego Tramuja, President of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ANONG).
Building on recent reflections by CELAC and the EU on social challenges and inclusive public policies, the session explored how social inclusion, care policies and efforts to reduce inequalities can contribute to social cohesion, democratic resilience and sustainable prosperity in both regions.
Against the backdrop of significant social, economic and demographic transformations affecting both Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean — including changes in labour markets, demographic shifts, care-related challenges and patterns of human mobility — the discussion provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and perspectives on inclusive public policies and people-centred approaches to well-being.
The session also explored how strengthening bi-regional cooperation and multi-stakeholder dialogue can contribute to more resilient and inclusive societies, while identifying practical avenues for future cooperation between the two regions.
