Eurodiaconia is a federation of organisations, institutions and churches providing social and health services and education on a Christian value base in over 20 European countries.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Calendar

May 19-21, 2008: Eurodiaconia conference Europe’s social future: The role of the Social Economy; Promoting values and providing services in changing welfare societies in Vienna, Austria. Click here to se the programme.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PRESS RELEASE: THE EU MUST FOCUS ON EQUALITY OF OUTCOMES NOT JUST OPPORTUNITIES

Brussels, May 8, 2008

EU and national officials, social partners, and civil society organisations debated the future of European social policy at the Social Agenda Forum in Brussels 5-6 May 2008. This high-level conference was designed to obtain input into and build a consensus around the renewed Social Agenda, to be released next month.

The Social Agenda, adopted in 2005 as a complement to the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, sets goals, priorities, and possible tactics to modernise European social models. The renewed Social Agenda will likely emphasize investments in youth, career opportunities (flexicurity), longer and healthier lives, gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination, mobility and integration, and culture, participation, and dialogue.

Eurodiaconia and other social NGOs urged the Commission to focus more on equality of outcome and not just equal opportunities in the renewed Social Agenda. "Despite increasing employment, we experience a Europe where poverty and inequality has also been increasing. We must ensure that people of all backgrounds can take up all available opportunities" insisted Heidi Martinussen, Secretary General of Eurodiaconia.

Ms. Martinussen also noted that "there is a tremendous imbalance between European goals and national and regional level actions". Member States must honour their commitments to fighting poverty and social exclusion. The renewed Social Agenda should include measures to this effect.

The conference built on the results of the European Commission's 'Communications on Opportunities, Access and Solidarity' issued in November 2007, before the official consultation process has ended. Social NGOs decried the lack of transparency in the development of the document. Eurodiaconia urged the Commission to fully engage all stakeholders in developing concrete proposals in the future.

Read Eurodiaconia's response to the Social Agenda Consultation.

For more information on the Social Agenda Forum.

Read more...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eurodiaconia Innovation Award 2008
We would like to encourage all our members to send us projects or initiatives that will compete to receive the trophy at our Diaconia Day Event in Brussels on November 5, 2008 and be named the winner of the EuroDiaconia Innovation Award 2008.


Click here to find the application form and selection criteria. We welcome projects or initiatives which have helped put focus in society on a particular issue that you are concerned with; has helped you do your work in a new and better way; has assisted your users in becoming more empowered or in any other way shows innovation and new initiatives in the way you do your work.
The EuroDiaconia Innovation Award is created to share best practice in Diaconia in Europe and was initiated at the Annual General Meeting in 2006. The award 2007 was given to AmberMed in Austria. The Communication and PR working group of Eurodiaconia is the project group behind the award. The Eurodiaconia Board of Management will evaluate on the competing projects/initiatives.
Deadline for submitting your projects/initiatives are August 25, 2008.
We look forward to receiving your applications.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This website has been created with the support of the European Commission, but does not necessarily express its views
Design: AKCept, Monographic © 2007, Eurodiaconia