Program of seminar on tax justice in Vilnius 27.01.2014.

1. Roundtable debates on
Creating a Just Tax System in Europe
Vilnius27th January 2014
09:30-15:30
Place: Vilnius University Faculty of Philosophy, Conference Hall (II floor),Universiteto g. 9/1
Working language: English
Context
Global tax systems have become increasingly regressive over the last 25 years as a result of the shift from
business taxation to consumption and labour taxation. Big businesses in developed countries have come
out as clear winners whilst the poorest households both in developing and developed countries have been
paying more of their income in tax. Furthermore, the increased use of tax heavens by wealthy people and
corporations has caused a significant shift in the distribution of the tax burden, with a large number of rich
people being able to avoid paying taxes or being given advantageous treatment. This has ultimately led to a
significant increase in income inequalities within and between nations.
Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in collaboration with Demos (Lithuania), Brïvïbas Un
SolidaritätesFonds (Latvia) and the Johannes Mihkelson Centre(Estonia)organize a series of roundtable
debates on how to create a just tax system in Europe. The first roundtable debate will take place in Vilnius
on 27th January 2014 and will cover the following issues:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are the causes of tax injustice?
What are the characteristics of a fair tax system in Europe and at global level?
Can fair tax systems also promote positive economic development?
How can equity be promoted through the tax system?
What institutional and economic changes are needed, both at national and international level, to
address tax injustice, tax evasion and avoidance?
Experts and Participants
Charlotte Billingham, FEPS, Belgium
Giovanni Cozzi, FEPS, Belgium
ErvinsLabanovskis, Freedom and Solidarity Foundation, Latvia
GintsTurlajs, CEO,Smart Continent LV Ekoterm SIA, SIA Institute, Latvia
Mārtiņš Svirskis, FreeTradeUnionConfederationofLatvia
EgilsBaldzēns, Vice Chairman of Latvia’s Free Trade Union
JānisBerziņš, Industrial Relations expert,Latvia.
HeikiJärveveer, Secretary General, Johannes MihklesoniCentre, Estonia
Peep Peterson, President of Estonian Trade Union Confederation
AlgirdasSysas, MP, Vice-Chairman of Lithuanian Parliament
DaivaSkučienė, Lithuanian Social Research Centre
JolantaAidukaitė, Director of the Institute of Sociology, Lithuania
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2. Inga Blažienė, Institute of Labour and Social Research, Lithuania
VigintaIvaškaitė-Tamošiūnė, Institute ofSocial Welfare, Lithuania
Rasa Zabarauskaitė, Institute of Labour and Social Research, Lithuania
GražinaGruzdienė, Lithuanian Trade Union of Food Producers
AušraMaldeikienė, Economic Expert, Lithuania
Jolanta Bielskienė, Demos Institute ofCriticalThought, Lithuania
Tomas Tomilinas, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, Lithuania
AndriusBielskis, Demos Institute of Critical Thought, Lithuania
DžinaDonauskaitė, Demos Institute ofCriticalThought, Lithuania
Tadas Leončikas, Demos Institute ofCriticalThough, Lithuania
You are welcome to joinparticipants‘listbyregistering atdzina@demos.lt
Programme
09.30 Arrival, registration
09.40 Introduction of the Open Seminar’s Goals and overall Project Idea (AndriusBielskis, Demos;
Charlotte Billingham, FEPS)
09.50Introduction of Experts and Participants
Part I - Open Seminar
10.00- 11.30
Experts‘ discussion I (chairing:AndriusBielskis,Demos)
Q1. What are the causes of tax injustice?
Q2. What are the characteristics of a fair tax system in Europe and at global level?
Q3. Can fair tax systems also promote positive economic development?
11.30-12.00CoffeeBreak
12.00 – 13.00
Experts‘ Discussion II(chairing: Tomas Tomilinas, Demos)
Q4. How can equity be promoted through the tax system?
Q5. What institutional and economic changes are needed, both at national and international
level, to address tax injustice, tax evasion and avoidance
Summingup(ErvinsLabanovskis, Freedom of Solidarity Foundation; HeikiJärveveer, Johannes
Mihklesoni Centre)
13.00- 14.00 Lunch Break
Part II - 14.00-15.30 Project Team Meeting
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