The Energy debate is within the framework “Energy and the Social Contract”, focusing on the Energy Trends in the Context of the Social Development and on the Compatibility of the Energy Developments with the Social Expectations.
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According to the IEA World Energy Outlook 2011, as to provide universal modern energy access by 2030, the needed investments will be 48 billion USD annually. However, the forecast for the level of investments is only for 14 billion USD annually – thus, by 2030 still 1 billion people will have no access to electricity and 2.7 billion people will be without access to clean cooking facilities._
According to the World Bank, the number of people, who lived with less than 1.25 USD a day in 2008, was 1.29 billion (app. 22.5% of the population)._
These facts justify the need to provide concrete forum for analysis and sharing different views – even from some time opposite and controversial perspectives. And in time of crisis as of now, the overall picture looks much more realistic and threatening._
The ENERGY DAY will focus on the realities, concerning the energy developments, and the best governance approach under these realities in favor of people._
In addition to statistical analysis starting with the fact that in real life terms the references to these questions are surrounding us as information on the daily basis. Energy is getting more expensive, but this does not always mean that it is more accessible. Even in Europe, where during winter, for many people the question “heating or eating” is pressing their personal agendas. On the one side, there are substantial activities to improve the situation. On the other hand, improvements cannot happen without investments, while on the other, at the national level the social partners, which represent relevant parts of the civil society, are at different maturity and cooperation level with each other – and in the energy field these differences are very visible. Further, the picture becomes more complicated by the fact that the energy related activities of strategic nature have jumped over the national geographical boundaries since long time ago, demanding both international investments and international approach. At the same time, the role of the state and the national governments, however, remains and shall remain indispensible. Thus, these mutually linked factors demand common analysis. _
When it comes to the energy related developments transparency is always needed as both people and all civil society structures and stakeholders can only benefit from it. One can take adequate measures only when the status quo is clear. Without any doubt, the flow of objective information in this aspect should be assured in all directions.
