News
Social Platform issues Slovenian Presidency tests: Time for a Growth, Jobs and Inclusion strategy
[18/01/2008]

European Social NGOs welcome the Slovenian Presidency’s leading objective to launch a new three-year cycle of the long-term vision for the future of Europe, the so-called Lisbon strategy, and launch seven tests upon which they will assess the Presidency at the end of its mandate in June 2008.

“The Presidency rightly points out that Europe needs to build its future by investing in people. The well being of people living in Europe must clearly be back at the heart of any future European strategy as part of EU legitimacy and raison d’être comes from its capacity to improve citizens’ well being and build a society based on solidarity and social justice,” said Fintan Farrell, president of the Social Platform, noting that the next European Spring Summit should refocus the strategy on Growth, Jobs and INCLUSION.

Slovenia takes the helm of the European Union at a time when heads of State and Government are seeking a successful ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty and strengthen Europe’s role in the age of globalization. These will not happen without the support of European citizens who need to see that decision-makers take on board their concerns.

“It is crucial that the Presidency shifts discourse as the Treaties commit member states to working for a high level of social protection, equality between women and men, the raising of standard of living and quality of life, social cohesion and the combating of exclusion among other objectives,” added Farrell. “It is time for the review of the Lisbon strategy to provide the right economic, political and legal incentive for social and sustainable development and reversing existing unsustainable trends,” he ended

Among the seven tests, the Social Platform stressed also the support for enhanced EU anti-discrimination legislation based on Article 13, start a process empowering users to develop European quality principles for social services. The tests also highlight the need for a strengthened EU legislation for the conciliation of private and working life for women and men (in relation to care services, maternity, paternity and parental leave). A greater transparency of Council’s work and deliberation (through a renewed Council’s website, improved accessibility of documents, communication strategy for a broader public) is also one of the key tests.

Please find below the seven tests which condense what the Slovenian Presidency can do to help the EU move along the road to a more social Europe respectful of fundamental rights. The Social Platform will evaluate the Presidency’s record at the end of its term.

Test 1
Has the Slovenian Presidency, used the Spring Summit 2008, to clarify the objective of the Lisbon strategy (i.e. “growth and jobs at the service of social cohesion”), to strengthen the social objectives in the economic and employment guidelines and to improved the coordination with the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on social protection on social inclusion?

Test 2
Has the Slovenian Presidency contributed to the adoption of an ambitious European Social Agenda?

Test 3
Has the Slovenian Presidency ensured the necessary support for enhanced EU anti-discrimination legislation based on Article 13?

Test 4
Has the Slovenian Presidency initiated an open and users’ empowering process to develop European quality principles for social services?

Test 5
Has the Slovenian Presidency ensured support to the strengthening of European policies and legislation for the conciliation of private and working life for women and men (in relation to care services, maternity, paternity and parental leave)?

Test 6
Has the Slovenian Presidency ensured adequate and meaningful participation of civil society, both at European and national level, in relevant Presidency initiatives and conferences, including in the planning of these events?

Test 7
Has the Slovenian Presidency brought greater transparency to Council’s work and deliberations (i.e. renewed Council’s website, improved accessibility of documents, communication strategy for a broader public)