Availability: UNIPUB, 4611-F Assembly Drive, Lanham, MD 20706-4391 (Catalogue No. SY-94-96-566-EN-C; $11).

This report contains summaries of papers and discussions from a conference at which about 1,000 people representing Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), the social partners, and the European Commission gathered to debate and broaden the scope of the interaction between the commission and other European Union institutions and those involved at the grassroots level in the fields of economic and social action and social cohesion, as well as social partners involved in the social dialogue. Four topics that framed the discussions are summarized: (1) equal opportunities in the broadest possible sense; (2) employment; (3) social protection; and (4) working life as reshaped by the new economic and technological processes. Main issues, debate, and conclusions are summarized for each of these discussions. This report also contains the following: a statement of the NGO platform; a report of the Comite des Sages (six people known for their experience and independence); and a speech on "New Trends in Society" (Hugues de Jouvenel). The following position papers are included: "Europe Requires a Civil Dialogue and the Support of Its Citizens" (Padraig Flynn); "Social Demands: A Source of Dynamism and Development" (Jacques Santer); and "Parliament Calls for the Inclusion of a Social Dimension in the Treaty" (Stephen Hughes). Finally, the report contains some general conclusions from the sessions and individual conclusions from the forum partners. (KC)