No sound policies without involving civil society

"To be fostering inclusive growth we need good policies, and a better balancing of social and economic aims. Social and health wellbeing have to be seen as essential for an inclusive society where people are valued, not just as labour units, but for their contributions to all aspects of our societies. To have good policies frankly we need to involve the people who are both the subject and object of such policies and this is where civil society actors come in."

This message was voiced by President of Social Platform Heather Roy, addressing the Annual Conference of our member the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) about the civil society perspective of being involved in the European Semester and about what should be accomplished to foster inclusive growth.

The President expressed how she believes that there is a place for civil society to be involved, but she has doubts about how meaningful such a place is in the current climate. The principle of participation is there but in reality the possibility for civil society to bring in meaningful, quality and timely contributions that are actually listened to and are influential, is very narrow.

To engage civil society she formulated recommendations concerning the responsibilities of civil society organisations for engagement as well as concerning the manner in which the tools and operations of the European Semester support and encourage civil society involvement at European and national level.

Read the full speech of Heather Roy.