6 May 2008 --- Ahead of adopting a social package in June 2008, Social NGOs and other relevant actors participated in two-day conference organised by the European Commission to help develop the renewed Social Agenda. The Social Platform welcomes the opportunity it gives to social NGOs to participate in shaping the future Social Agenda and calls on the European Commission to reflect those outcomes in the forthcoming initiatives.

“Social NGOs are at the fore-front of experiencing social realities. Working with or voicing concerns of people experiencing poverty, exclusion and inequalities, they draw from their experience of community, neighborhood or local social work.”, acknowledged Conny Reuter, president of the Social Platform and panelist at the conference. “At a time when citizens are increasingly disengaged from formal political processes, non-governmental and voluntary organizations have clearly a crucial role to play in shaping, implementing, monitoring and evaluating decisions that directly affect people’s lives.” Listening to them is therefore crucial.

And the reality Social NGOs bring from the grass-root level to the European arena, is rather sharp: “The reality we experience as social NGOs is one of 78 million people living in or at risk of poverty, one of hundreds of thousands undocumented migrants who risked their life to come to Europe to live in dignity. The Social Agenda of the EU must propose concrete measures to tackle existing and prevent new poverty, exclusion and inequalities, especially affecting women and people living with disabilities.” asserts Reuter.

The conference also delivered a single strong message to the European Commission. “Should you be serious about bringing more solidarity in Europe, Mr Barroso, it is time to shift your priorities from the limited ‘growth and jobs’ vision to a social and sustainable development of Europe” echoed Reuter.” Focusing on growth alone will simply not ensure a future in which every person can live in dignity.”

And finally, the conference echoed Social NGOS repeated demands that a strong social agenda is crucial for the European legitimacy. “It is now or never. One year before the European elections, the European Commission must leave as a legacy a Social Agenda that genuinely cares for people living in Europe. Don’t miss this last opportunity to re-connect with citizens.” concluded Reuter.

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. We want an EU of social progress, not a threat to social rights! Press release, 29.04.2008

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

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

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