Eurodiaconia links diaconal actors to examine social needs, develop ideas and influence policies impacting Poverty and Social Exclusion, Social and Health Care Services and the Future of Social Europe.
Eurodiaconia also provides a platform for transnational networking and best practice sharing.
As the leading network for diaconal work in Europe, we look to develop dialogue and partnership between members and influence and engage with the wider society. We do this to enable inclusion, care and empowerment of the most vulnerable and excluded and ensure dignity for all.
We aim to see a positive social change in Europe through:
Praxis, enabling membership engagement and partnerships
Advocacy, creating a network of competence to impact policies at European and national level
Identity and values, supporting the development of approaches and thinking on Diaconia in Europe today
Thursday, September 09, 2010
| The Lisbon Strategy |
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PRESS RELEASE
Eurodiaconia calls on EU governments to honour
their commitment to Social Europe
Brussels, March 10, 2008
In a letter to the Slovenian Presidency Eurodiaconia calls on Member States to honour their 2007 commitment to fight poverty and social exclusion and take their own social objectives better into account within the Lisbon agenda[1].
“This year’s planned review of the Lisbon Agenda’s guidelines provides the opportunity to turn these words into deeds, yet we fear that the opportunity will not be taken, threatening the legitimacy of the Council’s commitment”, said Heidi Martinussen, Secretary General of Eurodiaconia.
In 2006 the Council stated that“policies for social protection and social inclusion have to be closely coordinated with the Partnership for jobs and growth”. Eurodiaconia points out that as the integrated guidelines are the basis for the Lisbon Strategy reforms, such close coordination is only possible via these guidelines.
“The Open Method of Coordination on Social Protection and Social Inclusion is the cornerstone of the social pillar of Lisbon, yet its importance is rarely acknowledged by heads of state and government”, added Ms Martinussen. This process, where EU governments committed to work to common social targets, incorporating their “policies for social protection and social inclusion”, is often neglected by Member States but is essential to “make a decisive impact on poverty and social exclusion by 2010”, as promised in 2000.“It is unacceptable that 78 million people live at risk of poverty in the EU”, she stated, “while governments have the tools to tackle this and build a social Europe for all”.
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[1] 2007 Council conclusions: “the common social objectives of Member States should be better taken into account within the Lisbon agenda”. The Council also stressed “the need to fight poverty and social exclusion”.
Eurodiaconia challenges Member States to engage
in the fight against poverty and social exclusion
Statement, March 2007
Eurodiaconia and the Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches addressed the German President of the European Council of heads of state, Angela Merkel, on the lack of results following the EU Member States’ commitment to combat poverty and social exclusion. The letter proposes a “ Plan D” for the EU’s Lisbon strategy, a reference to the Commission’s “Plan D for democracy, dialogue and debate” which aims to encourage debate about Europe’s future. In this case however, the headings were: “Delivery, Democracy, re-Distribution and Dignity”. With reference to delivery we called for: “Member States to commit themselves to concrete “common actions” combating poverty and social exclusion and to deliver on their promises”. Member States are required to produce “ National Reports on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion ” as part of the “open method of coordination” (OMC) within the Lisbon Strategy. These National Reports are assessed by the European Commission and the Council in a “Joint Report”. We pointed out that despite commitments of the Member States to fight poverty and social exclusion, the Joint Report shows that these declarations have made little impact. Democracy: Churches and diaconal organisations called for better involvement of the national parliaments and civil society in the Lisbon process. “Improving democratic participation in EU processes is important for the future of Europe as the EU tries to regain its peoples’ trust.” “re-Distribution: The practice of solidarity is not only an essential element of Christian faith, but also a precondition for a socially cohesive society for all and as such is an important pillar of the European social model”. Dignity: we welcomed the EU’s concern in strengthening people’s capacities but said that the understanding of “human capital” is much too narrow if people are regarded only as productive factors. See the text of the letter |
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