FAMILY POLICIES IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

MEMBER STATES

Fred Deven PhDDepartment for Well-Being. Public Health & Family (WVG) Belgium

Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Family Affairs (Vienna, 2009)

Working Session II: INTRODUCTION

Committee of Experts on Social Policy for Families & Children

• Work Plan- Positive Parenting- Family Policies

• Methodology - Core Questionnaire (2008-2009)

- Case studies analyses

Council of Europe Family Policy Questionnaire

1. Institutional framework and objectives2. Financial policies towards families3. Reconciliation of work and family life4. Social policy and Family law5. Family stress and difficulties6. Family life and personal development

(parents, children)

Institutional framework

Policy objectives• Financial support• Service provision• Reconciliation of work & family• Strengthening family life• Family law and other legislation• Tackling (child) poverty• Pronatalist concerns

Family policies tool kit

• Financial support

• Provision of services

• Time management

Reconciliation of work & family life

• Maternity leave• Paternity leave• Parental leave• Other policy measures

Council of Europe

Past achievements

• Conferences of Ministers (2001, 2006)

• Recommendations (Reconciliation, Childcare, Family Policy)

• Committees of Experts & Project Work

Family Policies Current challenges

Some Policy dilemmas (“choices”)

• Universal versus Targeted benefits e.g. Family Allowances

• Favouring one Model over Cafeteria Formula e.g. Childcare

• Length of Leave and Type of Payment e.g. Parental Leave

Family Policies

Major discourses

• Parental “choice”

• Employment for the benefit of all family members

• Social Investment strategy

Council of Europe Suggestions for future work

• Providing a platform for open exchange and debate

• Broad-based comparative work

• Developing innovative perspectives