Charles UniversityEuropean social policyProf.PhDr.Potucek Martin, CSc., MSc.Group: A331st March 2008

Structure (Part One)

Definition of social inclusionModels of social inclusionWhy should we fight against poverty?Vulnerable groups

Social Inclusion

Exact definition does not exist

A process away from exclusion

Definition?

The European Social Fund´s definition:

The development of capacity and opportunity to play a full role, not only in economic terms, but also in social, psychological and political terms.

The United Nations definition:

An inclusive society must be based on respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, cultural and religious diversity, social justice and the special needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, democratic participation and the rule of law.

Material well-being is a key dimension of social inclusion

There are other dimensions such as „community cohesion“ or social capital as well

Theoretical models of social inclusion (Ruth Levitas)

The redistributionist discourse

The moral underclass discourse

The social integrationist discourse

The Redistributionist discourse (RED)

Emphasis on income inequality and poverty reductionSocial exclusion stems from povertyRedistribution of sources and of powerApproves social benefitsThe excluded lack: money

Ideological background: Social Democracy

The Moral underclass discourse (MUD)

Poverty and exclusion are caused by the behaviour of individuals and their „subcultures“Social benefits cause dependencyThe excluded lack: morals

Ideological background: Neo-konservatism

The social integrationist discourse (SID)

Equal participation Equal access to opportunitiesEmphasis on labour market participationThe excluded lack: work

Ideological background: The „Third way“

Social inclusion is achievable by reductions in poverty, through employment and by reducing income inequality.

Becoming socially included is the responsibility of both society and individuals themselves.

Note on terminology

Poverty and social exclusion are closely related concepts (often used interchangeably) but they are not identicalPoverty is mainly about lack of moneySocial exclusion is a broader concept (multi-dimensional)

Why should we fight against poverty?

Solidarity is a hallmark of the EU

Building a more inclusive Europe is vital to achieve the European Union´s goals of sustained economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

Why should we fight against poverty? II

Poverty means absence of freedom

Poverty is a moral problem

Poverty is a problem of social justice, citizenship and of inequality

Poverty as an absence of freedom

The poor cannot live in accordance with their aspirations (e.g. good education)

The poverty does not give them any choice

Poverty is often passed from one generation to another („hereditary poverty“)

Poverty as a moral problem

The poor are unwillingly deprived (undeserving poor)

It is legitimate to expect help from othersOn grounds of social solidarity

Social solidarity is understood as universal

Social exclusion of some individuals or groups makes solidarity selectiveSocial cohesion is based on universal solidarity

Poverty as a problem of citizenship

The concept of „full citizenship“ Citizenship should guarantee the access to the

economic, political, social and cultural system of the society.

Equal civil, political and social rights through citizenship

Legitimity of the existent social orderA society that tolerates social exclusion cannot be called open nor cohesive.

Vulnerable Groups

Certain groups of people face higher risk of poverty and social exclusion compared to the general population

Certain areas are marked by exclusion and by poverty

Rural areasDisadvantaged neighbourhoods

Vulnerable Groups II

People with disabilitiesMinorities (ethnic, religious, etc.)MigrantsHomeless peopleEx-prisonersDrug and alcohol addictsIsolated older peopleChildrenLone parents (mothers)Unemployed (long-term)

Ethnic minorities

Esp. the Roma (but not only)

Have been rarely accepted as full members of the wider societies in which they live

Have been in Europe already for many centuries

Migrants and Asylum seekers

Are defined as disadvantaged in almost every member state of the EUTypical for them are:

Greater unemployment ratesLower income in employmentHomelessnessCriminal propensity

Often excluded politically (no right to vote)And socially (no right to social benefits)

Children

Vicious circle – passing poverty from generation to generation

Child poverty is a denial of children´s rights

Ringen, S.: The Problem of Poverty – Some Recommendations on Definition and Measurement. Czech Sociological Review, 2005, Vol. 41, No. 1: 125-139

Valentova,M. (2003): European Social Monitoring. At: www.vupsv.cz/Valentova_Evrop_soc_monitoring.pdf

Mareš, P. (2006): Faktory sociálního vyloučení. At: www.vupsv.cz/Fulltext/vz_193.pdf

http:ec.europa.eu/employment-social/spsi/child_poverty_en.htm

http:ec.europa.eu/employment-social/spsi/active_inclusion_en.htm

http:ec.europa.eu/employment-social/spsi/poverty_social_exclusion_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/vulnerable_groups_en.htm

www.cesi.org.uk/kbdocs/socinc.doc

Structure (Part Two)

EU inclusion policies

EAPN European anti poverty network development, objectives, principles, structure

Lobbying the EU

The Social Inclusion Strategy

EU inclusion policies

EU poverty programmes 1-3 (1975 - 1994)

Amsterdam Treaty (1997)

The Lisbon Agenda/Strategy 2000 (-2010) The OMC on Employment … on Social Protection and Social Inclusion

The (re-vised) Social Agenda (2006-2010) (includes plan for a Community intiative on minimum income schmemes; better labour market policies; 2010 Year of combating exclusion and poverty)

Structural Funds (new regulations 2007-2013)

Services of General Interest

HISTORY

June 1989: Anti-poverty conference of 200 NGO activists, with European Commission support, mandated a provisional group to prepare the creation of a European Network

June 1989 - December 1990: EAPN’s Statutes were adopted by a constituent assembly

1992 Secretariat in Brussels opened

DEVELOPMENT

11 networks in 1990

German network in 1991

Networks in Austria and Finland in 1995

Swedish network in 1998

Bulgarian network in 2003

Hungarian, Maltese and Czech networks in 2004

Norwegian and Cypus networks in 2005

GOALS

To empower people and communities facing poverty and social exclusion to access their rights, to enable them to overcome their isolation and counter their social exclusion.

OBJECTIVES

1. to put the fight against poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda of the EU

2. to promote and enhance the effectiveness of actions against poverty and social exclusion

3. to lobby for and with people and groups facing poverty and social exclusion

Current OBJECTIVES

1 To build a strong and sustainable alliance of representative and participative National Networks and European Organisations involved in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

2 To empower groups and organisations active in the fight against poverty and social exclusion to understand, influence and contribute to EU policy

Current OBJECTIVES

3 To contribute, influence and monitor the development and implementation of effective and inclusive policies and actions against poverty and social exclusion in the European Union and the member states.

4 To mobilise the society in favour of policies to fight against poverty and social exclusion.

5 To contribute towards making the international context favourable to the fight against poverty and social exclusion

PRINCIPLES

A rights-based approach

Mainstreaming

Participation

Partnership

Solidarity

STRUCTURE

EAPN is a network of:• 21 national networks of anti-poverty NGOs and grassroots groups (in the EU)• European-wide organisations mainly active on poverty and social exclusion

The General Assembly meets annually and elects a 24-member Executive Committee for three years

ACTIVITIES

Lobbying Analysis Information Exchange Training

KEY LOBBYING AREAS

EU commitment to the fight against poverty and social exclusion European Social Inclusion Strategy Structural Funds – new framework Employment strategy Enlargement – impact and priorities

The Lisbon Agenda

The Lisbon agenda (2000): a new strategic goal for the next decade“The Union shall become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”

Economic Growth

Employment Social Cohesion

The Social Inclusion Strategy

The Social Inclusion Strategy was launched by the Lisbon council

”to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by 2010”

Common Objectives

1. To facilitate participation in employment and access by all to resources, goods and services

2. To prevent the risk of exclusion3. To help the most vulnerable4. To mobilise all relevant bodies

Challenges …

• Rise of neo-liberalism and national and EU levels• Redefinition of the ‘Lisbon Agenda’• Reductions in social welfare (or slow rises) due to

budget restraints• Work and ‘activation’• Racism and growing attacks on migrants and minorities• Still more then 68 mio people living in poverty

Strengthening the strategy

Stronger commitment to a rights based approach Countering myths: economic growth is not

synonym of a healthy society Greater impact on economic, employment and

other policies Mainstreaming and poverty-proofing in all areas

Strengthening the strategy

Participation and partnership – NGOs as key actors Better participation of people experiencing poverty Enforced visibility and accountability Clear commission recommendations Stronger role of European and National Parliaments A European Observatory on Poverty- Re-discuss and -define poverty; develop poverty statistics- Development of Social Standards

“The poor cannot wait!”

At least 68 Mio people in the EU today experience poverty and social exclusion. We therefore must not lose sight of of the Lisbon objectives.

Let us imagine a Europe where poverty and exclusion are eradicated.

Let us work and network towards a social Europe for all!Let us build the EU we want! A EU that provides a good life for all!

Europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s02312.htm Stk.bilgi.edu.tr/docs/

EAPN_0604_turkez1.ppt www.onderyoekinformatie.nl/en/oi/nod www.eucenter.wisc.edu/OMC/Papers/Prot

ection