With just a couple of days to go before its official start on the 1st of July,  the programme of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU is out now. The priorities for Finland’s Presidency are to strengthen common values and the rule of law, to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action and to protect the security of citizens comprehensively. It is worth bearing in mind that one of the EU’s central aims is to promote the wellbeing of its citizens. Therefore,  as a leading federation of diaconal social and healthcare service providers advocating for social justice, we welcome the Finnish initiative towards achieving an “economy of wellbeing.” A new holistic approach that will increase our understanding of how people’s wellbeing enhances productivity, generates economic growth and reduces public expenditure in the long term.

Eurodiaconia, together with our members in Finland, is planning a joint event in November in Helsinki to present our view and role on social and economic policies, as well as on sustainable development. More information to come.

To access Finland’s EU Presidency programme, please visit the Presidency website.