Transcript Document

The Platform of European Social NGOs
Who we are
• The largest platform of European rights
and value-based NGOs working in the
social sector. We aim to promote social
justice, equality and participatory
democracy by voicing the concerns of our
47 member organisations
Our members (European networks)
Strategic Objectives 2014-2020
Socio-economic justice: eliminate all forms of socio-economic
inequalities. (Inequalities in wealth redistribution, in the provision
of social and health services and services of general interest - such
as housing, education, health, transportation - to close the growing
gap in European societies).
Equality for all: act for the eradication of discrimination and
for the realisation of equality between women and men, in all
areas of life. (Including all grounds of discrimination - social,
economic, and residency status).
Decent work and quality employment. (Active inclusion
strategies articulated around the need for adequate minimum
income, for equality in relation to access, pay, pension, training and
career progression, access to services and appropriate pathways for
those who do not have a job, working poor and access to quality
jobs, and reconciliation between private family and working lives).
Strong social protection and welfare systems. (Promoting
inclusive, effective and efficient social protection and welfare systems
and their centrality to maintaining and securing the European Social
Model)
Participation in decision making: ensure that civil society
organisations are involved in decision making processes at EU
level. (Partnership between civil society organisations and public
authorities in the different policy areas).
People centered services for the common good: ensure
universal access to quality, affordable and accessible public
and social services. (Guaranteeing access to affordable and quality
public and social services of general interest and ensuring a strong
social dimension of the internal market).
How we work
•
Building co-operation among members through the exchange of
expertise and capacity building
•
Supporting members in developing joint campaigns on specific
issues
•
Supporting members’ campaigns on cross cutting issues
•
Ensuring access to decision makers for members on common policy
issues
•
Leading the advocacy on strategic common issues through
influencing EU policies and legislation
Horizontal process
How do we work
•
Policy Positions developed within working groups
–
Social Policy
–
Fundamental Rights
–
Services
•
Consultation with national members
•
Adoption by the Steering Group
•
Sent in the form of
–
Common positions
–
Open letters
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Publications
–
Amendments to European legislation
–
Contribution to European Parliament reports
–
Speeches at Conferences and EPSCO councils
Our work with the European Council
First annual meeting with Hermann Van Rompuy, President
of the Council, April 2012
Our work with the Council
We send a letter to the President of the EU Council
and all Heads of State and governments ahead of
each European Summit
e.g.: Letter to the European Council of March
20-21, 2014 ”Tackle the unsustainable social
situation in the EU” plus
Press release
Our work with the Council of the EU
•
Invited to bi-annual informal EPSCO Councils since 2005
Examples:
Lithuania 2013: Children’s wellbeing requires action beyond
child poverty
Ireland 2013: Social exclusion and the labour market
Cyprus 2012: European social NGOs call for a more social,
democratic and participative economic governance and
Europe 2020 strategy
Demnark 2012: Social services under pressure; Youth and
unemployment
Our work with the Council of the EU
•
Networking visit in the country that is going to take
the Presidency ahead of the EU Presidency
Jun 2014: networking visit in Rome
Dec 2013: networking visit in Athens
May 2013: networking visit in Vilnius
Nov 2012: meeting in Dublin with the Minister for
Employment and Social Affairs
May 2012: networking visit in Nicosia
Our work with the Council of the EU
•
•
Letters to the EPSCO Council, press releases
Sometimes letters to ECOFIN Council, GAC
Council, Competitiveness Council
•
Regular meetings with Permanent
Representations
•
Regular exchanges with the Employment
Committee(EMCO) and Social Protection
Committee (SPC); contributions to SPC reports
Example of a campaign where we
involved the national level
August – November 2012 on the Multi-annual
Financial Framework
From EU level: Social Platform letter to President
of EU Council, Heads of state and governments
Briefing and Template letter for national members
in 4 languages
Governments reached by national members: IT,
AT, UK, FR, NL, BE, CZ, DE, BG
For more information
Square de Meeûs 18
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium
T +32 2 511 37 14
[email protected]
www.socialplatform.org
Facebook: facebook.com/socialplatform
Twitter: @social_platform