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.