charles university european social policy prof.phdr.potucek martin, csc., msc. group: a3 31 st march...
TRANSCRIPT
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