Highlights of Eurodiaconia’s policy messages in 2007

Social Care Services Response to European Commission’s Social Services Questionnaire With the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CSC of CEC), the Commission of the Bishop's Conferences of the European Community and Caritas Europa We welcome the European Commission’s efforts to define the specific characteristics of social services – recognition of the specificities of these services – importance in fostering social cohesion and inclusion in society. We also welcome the endeavour to safeguard and uphold the quality and accessibility of social services through a clarification of how Community law influences the provision of these services. We ask for clearer communication on the application of EU rules. We also highlight our regret about the decision not to address health services in the Communication. We therefore ask the Commission to pay special attention to the close links between health and social services.

Social Care Services cont. When defining “person oriented social services”, we also ask to use a definition which allows the spiritual aspects of care to be addressed. We suggest adding that social services of general interest “often include an element of advocacy” as a characteristic of social services. Response to a technical questionnaire Eurodiaconia wrote a response to a technical questionnaire on the influence of EU legislation on the provision of social services. Presentation in the European Parliament Eurodiaconia Secretary General Heidi Martinussen presented to a conference organised by the Green Group in the European Parliament on universal services – She outlined the conditions and responsibilities in providing social and health services and highlighted the problems with tendering for social services, as well as how the struggle between national and regional authorities affects NGO service providers and the need a for real public responsibility for the provision of social services

Health Services Response to the Consultation from the Commission regarding the cross-border provision of health services Eurodiaconia and CSC of CEC expressed the concern that the expansion of cross-border services may lead to a “marketisation” of these services to the detriment of their special characteristics, the public or “general” interest they serve and the principle of solidarity they are governed by. We point out that health services – like social services – are not provided within a ‘normal’ supplier/consumer relationship That a personalised, integrated response to differing needs is necessary in order to guarantee fundamental human rights. We express our concern that an undifferentiated application of market rules would further marginalise the most vulnerable. We urge the European Commission and the EU Member States to ensure that cross-border mobility does not generate problems of accessibility to quality health services for patients.

Social Inclusion Letter to the European Council about the fight against poverty Eurodiaconia and CSC-CEC addressed Heads of State and Government on the lack of results following the EU Member States’ commitment to combat poverty and social exclusion. – calling for: “Member States to commit themselves to concrete “common actions” combating poverty and social exclusion and to deliver on their promises”. We pointed out that despite commitments of the Member States to fight poverty and social exclusion, the report assessing such commitments shows that these declarations have made little impact. The letter proposes a “ Plan D” for the EU’s Lisbon strategy “Delivery, Democracy, re-Distribution and Dignity”.

Social Inclusion cont. Joint Response to the European Commission questionnaire on the proposal for 2010 to be the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion with CSC-CEC We saw the preparatory process for the year as an opportunity to prepare the follow up of the EU’s policy framework in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. The European Year 2010 can then be used to promote the renewed policy framework. We encouraged the definition of precise quantitative and qualitative goals for the fight against poverty and social exclusion in 2010 We expect the European Commission to take their own analysis of the OMC-SPSI into account and to be a much more proactive mediator and driving force behind this instrument to help Member States fight poverty We hoped for a visible empowerment of those experiencing poverty and social exclusion through participatory methods

The Future of Social Europe Joint statement from Eurodiaconia and CSC-CEC on the social dimension of the Constitutional Treaty We called on Heads of State and Government to maintain the social dimension of the Constitutional Treaty We supported the reiterated commitment of EU Member States to strengthen the social dimension of EU policies and the need for a better balance between economic, social and environmental policies The “social dimension” is the commitment to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health – essential elements for social cohesion, which must be kept in any future Treaty of the European Union.

Social Europe cont. Response to European Commission Consultation: on the discussion paper 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century‘ We stress the need to take an integrated approach to modernization, – welcoming therefore the Green Paper’s emphasis on the Flexicurity model which takes an such an integrated approach to social and employment policy We Recommend that labour reforms include an assessment of the interrelatedness between employment and social protection – and not only between different employment contracts and social protection. We call for policy makers to use the resources of all stakeholders. – We point out that many stakeholders other than the Social Partners can play an active role in empowerment and enabling individuals to take up a job. – Highlight the work of NGOs as bridge builders in this process and call for recognition of the role of social NGOs in this process Eurodiaconia expressed its particular concern with those furthest from the labour market and pointed to the importance of also addressing the problem of structural obstacles to access the labour market.