In July 2020, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At that time, social coexistence was strongly influenced by the corona pandemic. In many countries contact restrictions were introduced and public life was restricted. However, the new situation did not stop people from communicating, but revealed new possibilities and channels: The communication migrated into the digital space. For example, on July 17, the EU Ministers of Labor met virtually and experienced informal and interactive formats online at the invitation of Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
To create a suitable translation into the digital space, two stages, a studio and workstations for 25 technicians were set up in the hall of the Motorwerk Weißensee. In this way, two event formats – an interactive video exchange and a subsequent press conference with an audience present – could be realized in one room while at the same time maintaining the corona-related safety distances.
The press conference was conceived as a hybrid format, so that journalists in the Motorwerk and digitally could participate and ask questions. Interested parties were also able to access the press conference via a livestream on the BMAS website or in the social media.
The theme of the conference was also influenced by the Corona pandemic: Entitled "The Social Dimension of Economic Recovery in Europe", the employment ministers, the EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights and representatives of the social partners discussed the consequences of the pandemic on labor and social policy and how to deal with them in a sustainable manner.
Pictures: © J. Konrad Schmidt/BMAS
2020
