1. Social Agenda of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union MISSOC Network Meeting Copenhagen, May Eva Ejdrup Winther

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

3. 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

4. JANUARY - European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012
Opening conference 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.”

10. 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).

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Key differences compared to 2008? Good and bad practices?
11th European meeting of People Experiencing Poverty: 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

16. 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

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

18. 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 National Reform Programmes and of the implementation of the Country-Specific Recommendations 18

19. 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

20. Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration
Questions?
Eva Ejdrup Winther
Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration