Fundamentals of MISSOC & Approach of Secretariat

Strengths Weaknesses Threats Opportunities Overall analysis of MISSOC Strengths Longstanding tradition - MISSOC known to wider public - Solid and proven working methods - Interpersonal relationships between NCs Balance comprehensive – concise Comparability Frequent updates (twice a year) Accurate and pure information Driven/supported by permanent Secr. Integration of ‘Your social security rights’ Weaknesses Not narrative and descriptive (Tables) Not analytical (superficial) No hyperlinks from database to national legislation Correspondents mostly linked to only one ministry with specific expertise Poor understanding of target groups Threats Not sufficient working time allocated to correspondents Tension between expert debates and political debates Different terminology and concepts on social protection in different countries Growing complexity of social security Opportunities Increasing use of ICTs European approach to social protection high on agenda Integrated in PROGRESS Co-operation with other players and initiatives (MISSEO, ISSA, EC units…) 2

MISSOC ACTIVITIES > UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES Balance between continuity and innovation Principles Boost identify and visibility Correct understanding of role of the MISSOC secretariat Quality control Partnership with NCs Ownership of NCs Effective liaison with European Commission Complementary team

Challenges (1) Volume of information 12 Tables (304 categories) x 34 countries x 3 languages 31 Guides x 14 sections x 24 languages Translation into all EU languages (of Guides) Quality control Terminology Integration of new countries Croatia Not yet Turkey, FYROM, Serbia E-communication strategy Links to Eures and other EU webpages Integration of missoc.org website into DG EMPL website

Challenges (2) Continuity and sustainability Maintain staffing Cracow meeting Counterparts in EC Protocols / tools / archives / IT infrastructure Enhance relevance and importance of MISSOC Increase users / usability / usefulness Contribute to other policy initiatives at EU or national level Cross references External communications / Co-operation with ISSA and CoE User Manual

Co-operation between various Ministries Comparative Tables – Updating Process Actualization files Insert new info Content review Extract master file Briefing to NCs December NCs insert new info Co-operation between various Ministries January - February Bilateral feedback to NC Clarify content/terminology Final approval by NC February - March Brief translators Conduct translations March - April Translation Quality check Publication Language check Figures Technical Terms April – May PDF files Master file for database May - June

European Commission MISSOC SECRETARIAT IT & Communication MISSOC Correspondents Reporting and Strategy Data gathering MISSOC SECRETARIAT Scientific experts J.Ditch G. Strban JP Lernould Project Director J.Spooren Team Leader M. Coucheir Support Data Analysis Legal expert 1 L.Brehmer Legal expert 2 I. Lupu Data review and Processing Data Manager Translations, editing & layout IT & Communication

Balance between decision making and informative nature MISSOC Network Meetings Milestones of cyclic MISSOC activities Balance between decision making and informative nature Important for networking and creating ownership Interactive 8