Transcript Document 7293710

Charles University
European social policy
Prof.PhDr.Potucek Martin, CSc., MSc.
Group: A3
31st March 2008
Structure (Part One)
Definition of social inclusion
Models of social inclusion
Why should we fight against poverty?
Vulnerable groups
Social Inclusion
Exact definition does not exist
A process away from exclusion
Definition?
The European Social Fund´s
definition:
The development of capacity and opportunity to
play a full role, not only in economic terms, but
also in social, psychological and political terms.
The United Nations definition:
An inclusive society must be based on respect for
all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
cultural and religious diversity, social justice
and the special needs of vulnerable and
disadvantaged groups, democratic participation
and the rule of law.
Material well-being is a key dimension of
social inclusion
There are other dimensions such as
„community cohesion“ or social capital as
well
Theoretical models of social
inclusion (Ruth Levitas)
The redistributionist discourse
The moral underclass discourse
The social integrationist discourse
The Redistributionist discourse (RED)
Emphasis on income inequality and
poverty reduction
Social exclusion stems from poverty
Redistribution of sources and of power
Approves social benefits
The excluded lack: money
Ideological background: Social Democracy
The Moral underclass discourse (MUD)
Poverty and exclusion are caused by the
behaviour of individuals and their
„subcultures“
Social benefits cause dependency
The excluded lack: morals
Ideological background: Neo-konservatism
The social integrationist discourse
(SID)
Equal participation
Equal access to opportunities
Emphasis on labour market participation
The excluded lack: work
Ideological background: The „Third way“
Social inclusion is achievable by reductions
in poverty, through employment and by
reducing income inequality.
Becoming socially included is the
responsibility of both society and
individuals themselves.
Note on terminology
Poverty and social exclusion are closely
related concepts (often used
interchangeably) but they are not identical
Poverty is mainly about lack of money
Social exclusion is a broader concept
(multi-dimensional)
Why should we fight against
poverty?
Solidarity is a hallmark of the EU
Building a more inclusive Europe is vital to
achieve the European Union´s goals of
sustained economic growth, more and
better jobs and greater social cohesion.
Why should we fight against
poverty? II
Poverty means absence of freedom
Poverty is a moral problem
Poverty is a problem of social justice,
citizenship and of inequality
Poverty as an absence of freedom
The poor cannot live in accordance with
their aspirations (e.g. good education)
The poverty does not give them any choice
Poverty is often passed from one
generation to another („hereditary
poverty“)
Poverty as a moral problem
The poor are unwillingly deprived
(undeserving poor)
It is legitimate to expect help from others
On grounds of social solidarity
Social solidarity is understood as universal
Social exclusion of some individuals or groups makes
solidarity selective
Social cohesion is based on universal solidarity
Poverty as a problem of citizenship
The concept of „full citizenship“

Citizenship should guarantee the access to the
economic, political, social and cultural system of the
society.
Equal civil, political and social rights through
citizenship
Legitimity of the existent social order
A society that tolerates social exclusion cannot be
called open nor cohesive.
Vulnerable Groups
Certain groups of people face higher risk of
poverty and social exclusion compared to the
general population
Certain areas are marked by exclusion and
by poverty
Rural areas
Disadvantaged neighbourhoods
Vulnerable Groups II
People with disabilities
Minorities (ethnic, religious, etc.)
Migrants
Homeless people
Ex-prisoners
Drug and alcohol addicts
Isolated older people
Children
Lone parents (mothers)
Unemployed (long-term)
Ethnic minorities
Esp. the Roma (but not only)
Have been rarely accepted as full members
of the wider societies in which they live
Have been in Europe already for many
centuries
Migrants and Asylum seekers
Are defined as disadvantaged in almost
every member state of the EU
Typical for them are:
Greater unemployment rates
Lower income in employment
Homelessness
Criminal propensity
Often excluded politically (no right to vote)
And socially (no right to social benefits)
Children
Vicious circle – passing poverty from
generation to generation
Child poverty is a denial of children´s
rights
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Ringen, S.: The Problem of Poverty – Some
Recommendations on Definition and
Measurement. Czech Sociological Review, 2005,
Vol. 41, No. 1: 125-139
Valentova,M. (2003): European Social
Monitoring. At:
www.vupsv.cz/Valentova_Evrop_soc_monitor
ing.pdf
Mareš, P. (2006): Faktory sociálního vyloučení.
At: www.vupsv.cz/Fulltext/vz_193.pdf
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http:ec.europa.eu/employmentsocial/spsi/child_poverty_en.htm
http:ec.europa.eu/employmentsocial/spsi/active_inclusion_en.htm
http:ec.europa.eu/employmentsocial/spsi/poverty_social_exclusion_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/
vulnerable_groups_en.htm
www.cesi.org.uk/kbdocs/socinc.doc
Structure (Part Two)
EU inclusion policies
EAPN European anti poverty network
development, objectives, principles, structure
Lobbying the EU
The Social Inclusion Strategy
EU inclusion policies
EU poverty programmes 1-3 (1975 - 1994)
Amsterdam Treaty (1997)
The Lisbon Agenda/Strategy 2000 (-2010)
The OMC on Employment
… on Social Protection and Social Inclusion
The (re-vised) Social Agenda (2006-2010)
(includes plan for a Community intiative on minimum
income schmemes; better labour market policies; 2010 Year of combating
exclusion and poverty)
Structural Funds (new regulations 2007-2013)
Services of General Interest
HISTORY
June 1989: Anti-poverty conference of 200 NGO
activists, with European Commission support,
mandated a provisional group to prepare the creation
of a European Network
June 1989 - December 1990: EAPN’s Statutes
were adopted by a constituent assembly
1992 Secretariat in Brussels opened
DEVELOPMENT
11 networks in 1990
German network in 1991
Networks in Austria and Finland in 1995
Swedish network in 1998
Bulgarian network in 2003
Hungarian, Maltese and Czech networks in 2004
Norwegian and Cypus networks in 2005
GOALS
To empower people and communities
facing poverty and social exclusion to
access their rights, to enable them to
overcome their isolation and counter their
social exclusion.
OBJECTIVES
1. to put the fight against poverty and social
exclusion on the political agenda of the EU
2. to promote and enhance the effectiveness of
actions against poverty and social exclusion
3. to lobby for and with people and groups facing
poverty and social exclusion
Current OBJECTIVES
1 To build a strong and sustainable alliance of representative and
participative National Networks and European Organisations
involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
2 To empower groups and organisations active in the fight against
poverty and social exclusion to understand, influence and
contribute to EU policy
Current OBJECTIVES
3 To contribute, influence and monitor the development and
implementation of effective and inclusive policies and actions
against poverty and social exclusion in the European Union and
the member states.
4 To mobilise the society in favour of policies to fight against poverty
and social exclusion.
5 To contribute towards making the international context favourable
to the fight against poverty and social exclusion
PRINCIPLES
 A rights-based approach
 Mainstreaming
 Participation
 Partnership
 Solidarity
STRUCTURE
EAPN is a network of:
• 21 national networks of anti-poverty NGOs and
grassroots groups (in the EU)
• European-wide organisations mainly active on
poverty and social exclusion
The General Assembly meets annually and elects a
24-member Executive Committee for three years
ACTIVITIES
 Lobbying
 Analysis
 Information
 Exchange
 Training
KEY LOBBYING AREAS
 EU commitment to the fight against poverty
and social exclusion
 European Social Inclusion Strategy
 Structural Funds – new framework
 Employment strategy
 Enlargement – impact and priorities
The Lisbon Agenda
Economic Growth
Employment
Social Cohesion
The Lisbon agenda (2000): a new strategic goal for the next decade
“The Union shall become the most competitive and dynamic
knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable
economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social
cohesion”
The Social Inclusion Strategy
The Social Inclusion Strategy was launched by
the Lisbon council
”to make a decisive impact on the
eradication of poverty by 2010”
Common Objectives
1. To facilitate participation in employment and
access by all to resources, goods and
services
2. To prevent the risk of exclusion
3. To help the most vulnerable
4. To mobilise all relevant bodies
Challenges …
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Rise of neo-liberalism and national and EU levels
Redefinition of the ‘Lisbon Agenda’
Reductions in social welfare (or slow rises) due to
budget restraints
Work and ‘activation’
Racism and growing attacks on migrants and minorities
• Still more then 68 mio people living in poverty
Strengthening the strategy
 Stronger commitment to a rights based approach
 Countering myths: economic growth is not
synonym of a healthy society
 Greater impact on economic, employment and
other policies
 Mainstreaming and poverty-proofing in all areas
Strengthening the strategy
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Participation and partnership – NGOs as key actors
Better participation of people experiencing poverty
Enforced visibility and accountability
Clear commission recommendations
Stronger role of European and National Parliaments
A European Observatory on Poverty
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Re-discuss and -define poverty; develop poverty statistics
Development of Social Standards
“The poor cannot wait!”
At least 68 Mio people in the EU today experience poverty and social
exclusion. We therefore must not lose sight of of the Lisbon objectives.
Let us imagine a Europe where poverty and exclusion are eradicated.
Let us work and network towards a social Europe for all!
Let us build the EU we want! A EU that provides a good life for all!
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Europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s02312.htm
Stk.bilgi.edu.tr/docs/EAPN_0604_turkez1.ppt
www.onderyoekinformatie.nl/en/oi/nod
www.eucenter.wisc.edu/OMC/Papers/Protect
ion