Social Agenda of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union MISSOC Network Meeting Copenhagen, 24-25 May 2012 Eva Ejdrup Winther

Social agenda of the Danish Presidency Overall Themes Some main events (so far) Still to come Questions

Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2012 Key TRIO Priority: ”Response to the demographic challenges” European challenges during the DANISH Presidency: Economic crisis combined with demographic change European youth: Employment and Inclusion

JANUARY - European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 Opening conference 18.-19. January 2012 3 Ministries: Employment, Health and Social Affairs The elderly´s active participation in the labour market and in civil society Healthy ageing and the elderly´s possibility of living individual lives Innovation and best practice

Karen Hækkerup Minister for Social Affairs and Integration - Closing remarks (read more: eu2012.dk) We must aim at: creating inclusive, elder friendly societies recruiting and retaining more seniors in the labour market for longer creating more flexible working conditions for older people and safe and healthy work places supporting elderly people in participating actively in civil society supporting European citizens in living healthy, physically active lives combating stereotypes and empowering older people enhancing independent living by offering training and rehabilitation creating age friendly environments making these initiatives contribute to a sustainable economic growth in Europe

Conference on Disability: 5–6 March (Copenhagen) Accessibility and Participation - full inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Examples of how to pave the way for a more inclusive society in Europe by using assistive technology and empowering approaches. We can use technology to achieve equal participation in employment and equal participation in society. What can be done in regards of inclusive education and political participation. 6

Conference on Disability: Conclusions We must work towards creating inclusive societies. We must work towards an accessible Europe. We must support participation in school, employment and society as a whole. We must combat stereotypes. We must take full advantage of the many opportunities new technology gives us. We must create friendly environments for everybody. We must aim at empowering people with disabilities.

Informal EPSCO 24–25 April (Horsens, Denmark)(1) Keeping it informal - 3 Workshops Ways to fulfill the youth guarantee Social services under pressure Linking youth policies on employment, education and training

Minister for Social Affairs and Integration, Karen Hækkerup, on Social services under pressure workshop “We must make sure that, also in times of crisis, we have a social safety net that takes care of society’s most vulnerable. This is why reforms are needed in the Member States, so that the well-functioning and efficient social systems in Europe will remain intact. Over the past two days, we have had a good debate and several specific initiatives have been put forward. Among other things, we agree that we must improve the exchange of knowledge on good methods and intelligent solutions so that we will not have to reinvent the wheel over and over again.”

Informal EPSCO 24–25 April (Horsens, Denmark)(2) Current economic crisis in Europe – information from Commissioner Andor on Youth Opportunities Initiative and Employment package First discussion of the Commission’s package on posting, which aims to strengthen the social dimension of the Internal Market (proposal put forward by the Commission on 21 March 2012).

Conference - Youth: Employment and Inclusion in times of crisis, 26-27 March (Horsens, Denmark) The economic crisis is having a particularly negative impact on the working, living and educational conditions of young Europeans - 3 key questions: What measures need to be taken in order to ensure access to the labour market for young people in times of crisis? How can social inclusion measures enable better transitions into the labour market? How do we enhance skills among young people without a job in times of crisis? 11

Karen Hækkerup Minister for Social Affairs and Integration - Closing remarks Two important lessons are learned: Combining efforts Early intervention 12

Proper implementation must be ensured. Concluding remarks: How can social inclusion measures enable better transitions into the labour market? (1) Social inclusion measures can prevent or relieve some of the challenges that disadvantaged young people face in relation to labour market access. Proper implementation must be ensured. If we target the measures to the specific circumstances of the individual, then the solutions will be more effective. 13

Concluding remarks: How can social inclusion measures enable better transitions into the labour market? (2) The European Economic and Social Committee has made the case for more effective and targeted methods for inclusion of young people with disabilities. The employment rate of young people with disabilities could be increased using the European Structural Funds for financial support, for encouraging the social partners to include young people with disabilities, and for accommodating more flexible workplaces. 14

Key differences compared to 2008? Good and bad practices? 11th European meeting of People Experiencing Poverty: 10-11 May (Brussels) This years Theme: Homelessness and Housing Rights in the Context of the Crisis How to ensure that people experiencing poverty can have access to adequate, affordable and energy efficient housing and accommodation. Key differences compared to 2008? Good and bad practices? How best to design policies that are adapted to the different needs and realities and ensure equality in access? 15

Other events... EPSCO 17th of February 2012 (Brussels) EU 2020/European semester and Women on boards Joint informal SPC/EMCO meeting: 26th – 27th of March (Copenhagen) - Europe 2020-Strategy, Active ageing and ILO Social Protection Floor Conference: L´Europe de l´Enfance: 19th – 20th of March (Copenhagen) - How does child poverty affect children’s lives? Roma Platform 22 March (Brussels) - A sustainable process for Roma inclusion 16

Also Minister for Integration... Enhancing democratic values, promoting social cohesion, and furthering intercultural dialogue: Sharing of best European practices, 19-20 April 2012 International conference on Tackling Extremism: De- radicalisation and Disengagement, 8-9 May 2012

Still to come: EPSCO – 21st of June 2012 (Luxemburg) (1) Council Conclusions ”Responding to Demographic Challenges through enhanced participation in the labour market and society by all” – Summing up the lessons learned. Contribution to the European Council - Implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy - 2012 National Reform Programmes and of the implementation of the 2011 Country-Specific Recommendations 18

EPSCO – 21st of June 2012 (Luxemburg) (2) EU programme for Social Change and Innovation (Progress II, EURES and Micro Finance Facility) – linked to MFF Pensions adequacy Report (Social Protection Committee) The Commission’s report on the national Roma strategies Non-discrimination directive – Progress Report (age provissions) And much more... 19

Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration Questions? Eva Ejdrup Winther Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration eew@sm.dk