The Seasonal Universities programme comes for the first time to La Pobla de Vallbona, thanks to the collaboration between its City Council, the Universitat de València, the Valencian Provincial Council, Caixa Popular and the Jean Monnet Chair Economic Services of General Interest in the framework of social and territorial cohesion. This first edition of the Autumn University of La Pobla de Vallbona will take place on 25 November at the Ethnological Museum ‘La Cas Gran’, where they will talk about "SERVICES OF GENERAL ECONOMIC INTEREST AND CITIZENSHIP: Citizens as users of essential services".

The concept “Services of General Interest” includes sectors such as telecommunications, banking, postal services, water supplies, gas, electricity, transport and any other economic activity that is declared to be of general interest by the State. Health and social services are also considered to be services of general interest under certain circumstances, which broadens the range of activities that fall into this category. The types of activities included in this area and considered as basic services mean that we are all recipients of these activities as consumers, or users of them. These activities respond to the basic and essential needs of the community, which is why the supply of and access to these services must be guaranteed for the population. Under our domestic law, access to these services was guaranteed through the public service formula, so that the responsibility for their provision was entrusted to the Administration. However, European Union legislation imposes the liberalisation of some of these activities, opening them up to the free market and competition. Within this framework, the provision of services operates according to the criterion of economic and commercial profitability and puts an end to state monopolies. However, these activities continue to be of general interest, and their provision must be guaranteed to citizens in terms of quality, regularity, universality and affordability. In this context, the European Union has sought to make the economic liberalisation of these activities compatible with the underlying public interest. To this end, Community rules have developed techniques and instruments aimed at meeting these requirements and guaranteeing citizens access to basic services that also contribute to social and territorial cohesion, both internally and at European level.

The conference is aimed at both the general public, as citizens and users of these basic activities, as well as those people who have a more particular interest related to the activities they carry out both professionally and academically. Attendance at this conference is free of charge due to the public nature of the Universitat de València. In order to participate, prior registration is recommended (See link to: MORE INFORMATION), which will speed up your access to the venue and ensure your seat given the capacity restrictions. In addition, all registered participants will receive a certificate of attendance. Please find attached, for your interest, the programme of the event.