We want an EU of social progress, not a threat to social rights!

29 April 2008 --- Ahead of adopting the renewed Social Agenda in June, the college of Commissioners brainstorms today about the social future of the EU. European Social NGOs are ready to offer some ideas to the Commission, in an open letter to President Barroso and all Commissioners.

To be adopted one year before the European elections, the renewed EU Social Agenda is to propose a vision for the EU we want to live in. "The EU social Agenda must set the EU as an actor of social justice, solidarity and progress rather than a threat to social rights” says Conny Reuter, President of the Social Platform. “Europe is not about creating a society of winners and losers but about ensuring a cohesive and inclusive society in a context of a globalised economy” insists Reuter.

Along those lines, European social NGOs urge Commissioners to consider shifting priorities from the limited “growth and jobs” vision to a social and sustainable future.

This also means addressing Europe’s reality: “Europe’s reality in 2008 portrays 78 million people living in or at risk of poverty in the EU-27 Member States, among them 20% of children aged 0 to 15. The Social Agenda of the EU must propose concrete measures to tackle existing and prevent new poverty, exclusion and inequalities,” further stresses Reuter.

According to Social NGOs, should European decision-makers be serious about fighting against poverty, and promoting equality for all, it is time to invest in solid social infrastructures: social protection systems, quality jobs and universal public services.

Notes to the editor:

1. Social Platform open letter to EU leaders

2. Main messages:

- A must have: a social agenda that fits the social reality

- Get back to the basis: fundamental rights are the raison d’être of Europe and social policies

- The future of the EU is social and sustainable: growth and jobs alone do not deliver lasting well-being

- Serious about fighting poverty? Time to invest in solid social infrastructures

- Responding to demographic change by promote a life-cycle approach to policy making

- An economic boom in the social services’ sector: it deserves support

- Start an equality revolution – further legal steps are needed to advance equality for all

- Promoting fairness, solidarity and sustainability is a task for all Directorate General. Social policies alone cannot do the trick

- LEGISLATION is the most cost-effective tool to achieve social objectives

- Do not re-invent the wheel: strengthen and improve the Open Method of Coordination Be coherent: Social policies deserve their own budget

- How to achieve an ambitious EU Social Agenda? By counting on active citizens’ organisations

3. Social Platform position on “Social NGOs getting ready for the post-Lisbon: from 'growth and jobs' to 'sustainable and social”, December 2007

4. Social Platform position on "equality and non discrimination: what role for the EU? Social NGOs recommendations for further actions", October 2007

5. For more information, please contact Roshan Di Puppo at +32 4 94 27 64 70

The Platform of European Social NGOs (the Social Platform) is the alliance of representative European federations and networks of non-governmental organisations active in the social sector, promoting social justice and participatory democracy by voicing the concerns of its member organisations. The Social Platform and its members are committed to the advancement of the principles of equality, solidarity, non discrimination and the promotion and respect of fundamental rights for all, within Europe and in particular the European Union