1 l KarlFriedrich Bopp l Council of Europe

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l Karl-Friedrich Bopp l Council of Europe SOCIAL COHESION POLICIES AS A MEANS TO COMBAT POVERTY 2

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND COUNCIL OF EUROPE Founded in 1949 Currently 47 Member States Headquarters: Strasbourg, France 3

COUNCIL OF EUROPE 1 candidate: Belarus 5 observers: Holy See, Canada, Japan, Mexico, USA 4

AIMS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE Human rights Democracy Rule of law Social cohesion 5

DEFINTIONS 6

SOCIAL COHESION 7

SOCIAL COHESION Definition (1) Social cohesion is the capacity of a society to ensure the well-being of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding marginalisation 8

SOCIAL COHESION Definition (2) Social cohesion is a political concept that is essential for the fulfilment of the three core values of the Council of Europe: human rights, democracy and the rule of law 9

Note: Social Cohesion is not a legal concept which can be defended in courts 10

POVERTY 11

POVERTY Definition (1) People are said to be living in poverty if their income and resources are so inadequate to preclude them from having a standard of living considered acceptable in the society in which they live 12

Past and present activities carried out in the region 13

CO-OPERATION Dubrovnik Pledge 2001 – Health as a bridge to peace in South Eastern Europe – with WHO Bucharest Process 2003 – Tackle unemployment and labour market challenges in South Eastern Europe so as to promote sustainable growth and social cohesion – with ILO 14

DUBROVNIK PLEDGE (1) Health Ministers accept health care, social well being and human development as a key to strengthening fundamental human rights and vulnerable populations SEE Health Network created as part of the Social Cohesion Initiative of the Stability Pact 15

DUBROVNIK PLEDGE (2) Priority areas such as mental health, surveillance of communicable diseases for concrete action identified Donors were identified for support of projects 16

BUCHAREST PROCESS (1) Ministers responsible for employment set up a High-Level Committee Employment policies bring people back to work and therefore enhance regional co-operation and stability, social dialogue and economic growth 17

BUCHAREST PROCESS (2) Country Reviews of Employment Policy (CREP) made Adopted at National Tripartite Conference thus promoting social dialogue as a key component of the process 18

SOCIAL SECURITY COORDINATION AND REFORMS Since 2004 exists an EU/Co. E Joint Programme to enhance regional coordination of the social security systems and to facilitate legislative and administrative reforms in the field of social protection 19

SOCIAL SECURITY COORDINATION AND REFORMS Activities include summer schools, workshops on pensions, health care and data exchange Idea is also to assist beneficiary parties with the understanding of differences national systems 20

New Strategy and Action Plan for Social Cohesion adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 7 July 2010 21

The four pillars of the new Strategy and Action Plan 1. Reinvesting in social rights and a cohesive society 2. Building a Europe of responsibilities that a both shared and social 3. Strengthening representation and democratic decision making and expanding social dialogue and civic engagement 4. Building a secure future for all 22

Action Plan for Social Cohesion An extensive collection of Council of Europe conventions, recommendations, policy guidelines and reports covering all aspects of social cohesion will complement the Action Plan 23

Policy action for social cohesion (1) Reinvest in social rights and a cohesive society …… Member states are invited to ensure that everyone has access to housing of an adequate standard while helping people in vulnerable situations to avoid excessive debt. 24

HOUSING Housing policy and vulnerable social groups (Report and Guidelines; 2008) 25

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Policy action for social cohesion (2) Building a Europe of shared and social responsibilities …… Member states are invited to empower stakeholders to make choices for the well-being of all and act accordingly 27

Strengthening social cohesion By empowering people experiencing extreme poverty (Report and Guidelines; 2010) 28

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE CO -OPERATION ? 30

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION 31

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