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Karl-Friedrich Bopp

Council of Europe

SOCIAL COHESION

POLICIES AS A MEANS TO COMBAT POVERTY

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDCOUNCIL OF EUROPE

Founded in 1949

Currently 47 Member States

Headquarters:

Strasbourg, France

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COUNCIL OF EUROPE

1 candidate: Belarus

5 observers:Holy See,

Canada, Japan, Mexico, USA

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AIMS OF THECOUNCIL OF EUROPE

Human rightsDemocracyRule of law

Social cohesion

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DEFINTIONS

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SOCIAL COHESION

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SOCIAL COHESIONDefinition (1)

Social cohesion is the capacity of a society to ensure the well-

being of all its members, minimising

disparities and avoiding

marginalisation

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SOCIAL COHESION

Definition (2)Social cohesion is a political concept that is essential for the fulfilment of the three

core values of the Council of Europe: human rights,

democracy and the rule of law

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Note: Social Cohesion is not a legal

concept which can be

defended in courts

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POVERTY

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POVERTYDefinition (1)

People are said to be living in poverty if their income and resources are so inadequate to preclude them from having a standard of

living considered acceptable in the society

in which they live

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Past and present

activities carried out in

the region

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CO-OPERATION

Dubrovnik Pledge 2001 – Health as a bridge to peace in South Eastern Europe – with WHO

Bucharest Process 2003 – Tackle unemployment and labour market challenges in South

Eastern Europe so as to promote sustainable growth and social

cohesion – with ILO

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DUBROVNIK PLEDGE (1)

Health Ministers accept health care, social well being and

human development as a key to strengthening fundamental

human rights and vulnerable populations

SEE Health Network created as part of the Social Cohesion

Initiative of the Stability Pact

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DUBROVNIK PLEDGE (2)

Priority areas such as mental health, surveillance of

communicable diseases for concrete action identified

Donors were identified for support of projects

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BUCHAREST PROCESS (1)

Ministers responsible for employment set up a High-Level

Committee

Employment policies bring people back to work and

therefore enhance regional co-operation and stability, social dialogue and economic growth

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BUCHAREST PROCESS (2)

Country Reviews of Employment Policy (CREP) made

Adopted at National Tripartite Conference thus promoting

social dialogue as a key component of the process

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SOCIAL SECURITY COORDINATION AND REFORMS

Since 2004 exists an EU/CoE Joint Programme to enhance regional co-ordination of the

social security systems and to facilitate legislative and

administrative reforms in the field of social protection

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SOCIAL SECURITY COORDINATION AND REFORMS

Activities include summer schools, workshops on pensions, health care and data exchangeIdea is also to assist beneficiary parties with the understanding of differences national systems

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New Strategy and Action Plan for Social Cohesion adopted by the Committee of

Ministers on 7 July 2010

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The four pillars of the new Strategy and Action Plan

1.Reinvesting in social rights and a cohesive society2.Building a Europe of responsibilities that a both shared and social3.Strengthening representation and democratic decision making and expanding social dialogue and civic engagement4.Building a secure future for all

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Action Plan for Social Cohesion

An extensive collection of Council of Europe conventions,

recommendations, policy guidelines and reports

covering all aspects of social cohesion will complement the

Action Plan

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Policy action for social cohesion (1)

Reinvest in social rights and a cohesive society ……

Member states are invited to ensure that everyone has access to housing of an adequate standard

while helping people in vulnerable situations to avoid excessive debt.

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HOUSING

Housing policy and vulnerable social groups (Report and Guidelines;

2008)

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Policy action for social cohesion (2)

Building a Europe of shared and social responsibilities ……

Member states are invited to empower stakeholders to make choices for the well-being of all

and act accordingly

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Strengthening social cohesion

By empowering people experiencing extreme poverty (Report and

Guidelines; 2010)

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE

CO-OPERATION ?

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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