Ministerul Muncii, Familiei şi Protecţiei Sociale

Proiectul Phare 2006 “Asistenţă tehnică pentru promovarea campaniei naţionale de conştientizare în domeniul incluziunii sociale”

Social Inclusion in EU

Harald HaubenTeam Leader, Social Inclusion Expert

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Presentation

Concept of “social inclusion” Open Method of Co-ordination EU social policies mid 2009

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Presentation

Concept of “social inclusion” Open Method of Co-ordination EU social policies mid 2009

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“Social Inclusion”

No commonly agreed fixed definition in EU

Often reference to ‘social exclusion’

Definitions varyrelation with povertyInsufficient and inappropriate social

participation or social integration.........

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Characteristics “Social exclusion”

Exclusion is related to society norms / context at a given momentDifferences between countriesChanging norms in country

Exclusion is consequence of decisions/actions of other people/organisations/institutions

Exclusion implies limited future perspectives of affected individuals/groups

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Characteristics “Social Exclusion”

Individuals/groups experience different levels of disadvantages which themselves lead to increased vulnerability and ends with a series of multiple, persistent and interconnected disadvantages

= dynamic, complex and multidimensional process implying the denial or lack of resources, rights, good and services and the incapacity to participate in normal relations and activities most people in society have access to

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Dimensions of “Social Exclusion”

Exclusion from proper resources (poverty)Exclusion from labour marketExclusion from services (transportation,

housing,..)Exclusion from social relationships

= multidimensional

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“Active Inclusion”

Introduced on 2006 through different ‘communications’ from EC

2008 EC Recommendation on active inclusion

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Commission Recommendation 2008 on “Active Inclusion”

Objective : to guide EU MS in their strategies to tackle poverty

MS Active inclusion policies should targetIntegration into sustainable and quality

employment of those who can workProvide resources sufficient to live a life

in dignity for those who cannot

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Commission Recommendation 2008 on “Active Inclusion”

Recommendations to MS to design and implement an integrated comprehensive strategy for active inclusion of people excluded from labour market based on Adequate income support Inclusive labour markets Access to quality services

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Commission Recommendation 2008 on “Active Inclusion”

Active inclusion policies requireMix of policy measures in 3 strandsCo-ordination between agencies

delivering inclusion policiesCoordination between EU, national,

regional and local levelInvolvement civil society

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Commission Recommendation 2008 on “Active Inclusion”

Use Structural funds (ESF) to support active inclusion policies

Take measures to inform all citizens – including least privileged - about their rights and available support

Improve indicators and information systemsMonitor and evaluate active inclusion policies

under the OMC in co-operation with the SPC / EMCO and with support of PROGRESS programme

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Presentation

Concept of “social inclusion” Open Method of Co-ordination EU social policies mid 2009

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EU has limited competence in employment and social field

MS face similar reform challenges in economic, employment and social areas Globalization New ICTs Demographic change (ageing)

Instrument to support MS reform efforts Political coordination without legal constraints Voluntary self-evaluation process Learning from each other Flexible and decentralised method

OMC : rationale

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What is OMC ?

Method of EU to co-ordinate policy developments of member states in policy areas that are subject to the subsidiarity principle;

Created in 1997 under the EES ; extended now to several other policy fields (education and training, youth, social inclusion and social protection, ...);

The ‘Social OMC’ combines 3 previous existing OMCs : social inclusion, pensions and health/long term care

16European Employment Strategy (1997)

Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs (2000)

Social Inclusion and modernised social protection systems as key elements to achieve goals of strategy

Streamlined ‘Social’ OMC Process (2006)

Social Inclusion + Pensions + Health / LTC Overarching objectives Interact positively with revised Lisbon Strategy Simplied reporting procedures

OMC Background

Strengthened OMC (2008) Improve visibility More interaction with other policies

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The cycle of the Social OMC

Common objectives and policy priorities

National Strategy Reports

Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion

Commonly agreed indicators

common objectives

agreed indicators

> supranational strategic goals> guidelines & timetables

> establish quantitative & qualitative indicators

translating EU objectivesinto national/regional policies

> National Action Plans

Community Action Programme

> promote cooperation> benchmarking> transnational exchange of best practice

monitoring & evaluation

> publication of European reports analysing & assessing the national policies> giving supranational recommendations

Open Method of Coordination

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Agreeing on common objectives creates…

…political obligation…political legitimacy to reformsOMC develops… …a partnership approach: partnerships between

Member States and with all stakeholders…a preventive approach, avoiding costly mistakes

…transparency of policies OMC acts as a catalyst for policy

development at EU, national and local levels

Effects of OMC

Eradication of poverty and social exclusion

Adequate and sustainable

pensions

Accessible, high-qualityAnd sustainable

Health Care and LTC

Access for all to resources, services &Non-discrimination

Access for all to resources, services &Non-discrimination

Active social inclusionActive social inclusion

Policy coordinationStakeholder involvement

Policy coordinationStakeholder involvement

Rational use of resources

Rational use of resources

QualityQuality

Universal accessUniversal access

TransparencyTransparency

Financial sustainabilityFinancial sustainability

Adequate levelAdequate level

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES• Social cohesion and equality for all

• Interaction between Lisbon strategy & Sustainable development strategy• Good governance, transparency, stakeholder involvement

OMC Objectives for SP and SI cycle 2008-2010

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Social OMC : cycle 2008-2010

MS produced in autumn 2008 National Strategic Reports on social protection and social inclusion

Joint Report adopted by Council in March 2009

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Presentation

Concept of “social inclusion” Open Method of Co-ordination EU social policies mid 2009

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2009 … 2010

2010 : The end of a cycle

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2009 … 2010Lisbon strategy (2000-2010) : EU > most

dynamic, knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion

European Employment strategy (by 2010)70 % employment rate60 % women employment rate50 % older workers employment rate

Barcelona targets on child care facilities (2010)90 % of children between 3 - schoolgoing age33 % of children below 3

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2009 … 2010Revised Social Agenda (July 2008) until 2010

Sets out the main policy actions and initiatives in wide range of areas (employment, social affairs, education, health, non discrimination,..)

3 pillars Creating opportunities Providing access Demonstrating solidarity

7 priority areas (combating social exclusion) Set of 21 policy documents (mainly soft law) 3 proposals for directives 6 communications

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2009 … 2010Revised Social Agenda (July 2008) until 2010

Priority 5 : combating poverty and social exclusion 2008 EC communication on re-inforcement OMC 2008 First biennial report on social services of

general interest 2008 EC Recommendation on active social inclusion Plans to take initiatives

Improvement digital literacyBroadband deployment in unserved areasAccessibility information society for PwDFinancial inclusion

Report on Barcelona targets

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2009 … 2010

Social OMC 2008-2010

2010 European Year of combating poverty and social exclusion

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2009 … 2010

2010 : The beginning of a new post Lisbon cycle ?

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2009 … 2010

New European Parliament & Commission Impact financial and economic crisis on

employment and social fields (Economic Recovery Plan)

Preparation post Lisbon strategy (2010-2015) including new EES, new ‘social agenda’, new cycle for OMCs

Adopion treaty

Ministerul Muncii, Familiei şi Protecţiei Sociale

Proiectul Phare 2006 “Asistenţă tehnică pentru promovarea campaniei naţionale de conştientizare în domeniul incluziunii sociale”

Thank you

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Social OMC : cycle 2008-2010

Three overall Common objectives

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Social OMC : cycle 2008-2010Common objectives for the 3 strands

Eradication of poverty and social exclusionAccess for all to resources, rights and services,

preventing and addressing exclusion and fighting discrimination that lead to exclusion

Active inclusion of allWell co-ordinated inclusion policies involing all

government levels and civil soceity & mainstreaming into all public policies

Adequate and sustainable pensionsAffordable, high quality and sustainable health

and long term care