CSC Issues

Social and Economic Issues

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Economic, Environmental and Social Issues: Examining the relationship between the economic system and environmental and social policies, especially with regard to the specific policies of the European institutions and economies in transition.

For more information on these issues please contact Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach.

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Exploring Europe 2020 - 21-23 November 2011 - Brussels

Launch of the Second European Semester : Toward a stronger involvement of churches and diaconal stakeholders - Press Release from 24 November 2011

Report on the Exploring Europe 2020 Seminar - English

Annual Growth Survey by the European Commission - English

First Analisys of the Annual Growth Survey - Eurodiaconia

: Opening session - Copyright Elena Timofticiuc/CSC of CEC

: Day 2 - Copyright Elena Timofticiuc/CSC of CEC

: Ms Jean Lambert MEP - Copyright Elena Timofticiuc/CSC of CEC

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July 2011

Europe and Family Policy

Family Policies are largely a competence of the EU member states and not of the European Union itself. Not least due to the demographic changes in Europe, however, family policy has also become a topic on the agenda in the European Institutions. The rotating Presidencies of the Council of the EU in 2010 and 2011 issued a joint statement in April 2011, which proposes, inter alia, to declare 2014 a European Year of Families. The Council of the European Union on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, in June this year, adopted conclusions on Reconciliation of work and family life in the context of demographic change.

As one contribution to the debate, the Executive Committee of the Church and Society Commission adopted a discussion document on Europe and Family Policy. It contains several recommendations to the European Union and its Members States in order to advance a “sustainable and supportive framework for families”. Recognising the different approaches to family policies across Europe, the Executive Committee deliberately adopted the document as a discussion document.

Reactions from member churches and persons dealing with family policies are welcome to be sent to Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach by 1st of April 2012.

Europe and Family Policy – A Discussion Document issued by the Church and Society Commission (Pdf Format) (Word format)

September 2010

Combating Poverty Conference: Do Not Deny Justice to Your Poor People (Exodus 23,6)

Proposals for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU
Poverty Report - Joint Recommendations of: Eurodiaconia, Caritas Europa, the Church and Society Commission of CEC and COMECE. - FRENCH GERMAN

Press Release from the Conference

Banner from the Conference

Speeches from the Conference on Poverty, 30 September 2010

Dr. Philippe Courard - Speech: French

Rev. Dr. Dieter Heidtmann - Speech: English, German

Ms. Rapti - Speech: Greek Only

Ms Ninni Smedberg - Speech: English

Ms. Anna Záborská - Speech: French

July 2010

Dialogue Seminar of the EU and the Churches in Europe on “Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in the Framework of the EU 2020 Strategy” co-organised by the Bureau of European Policy Advisors of the European Commission together with the Church & Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Secretariat of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE). - 9 July 2010

EU Commissoner Andor : Churches are crucial partners in combating poverty

Official EU Photos from the Dialogue Seminar - © European Union, 2010 | Brussels - Berlaymont

CEC Photos from the Dialogue Seminar on Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

Press Releases on the Dialogue Seminar:

EU Commissoner Andor : Churches are crucial partners in combating poverty - 12 July 2010

Churches discuss policies to combat poverty with the EU Commissioner László Andor - 7 July 2010

CSC Briefing Paper on the EU 2020 strategy - June 2010
EUROPE 2020: A European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive grow

Documents from the Dialogue Seminar 9 July 2010:

Welcome Speech - Rüdiger Noll

The European Platform against Poverty and the role of faith-based organisations in the fight against poverty - Antonia Carparelli

Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion int he framework of the EU 2020 Stragety - Archbishop emeritus Jukka Paarma

Europe 2020: European Platform against Poverty - Julien Van Geertsom

Presentation and Speech: "Observatory of the poverty and resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina" - Zlatko Malic

Entrajuda - Capacity Building Projects for the Portuguese Non-profit Sector - Rui Botelho

Résumé de l'intervention de Mr. Jérôme Vignon

March 2010

Protection of a work-free Sunday - First European Conference - 24 March 2010

On 24 March, more than 400 conference participants from churches, trade unions as well as civil society organisations, met in the European Parliament in Brussels to launch an appeal to the heads of states and governments to keep Sunday free of work for all European citizens.

Programme Speakers Statement from CEC Joint Statement in English and German

Please click on the language of your choice for the call for a work-free Sunday:
English, French, German, Italian

For more information on this issue please contact Rev. Laurence Flachon.

January 2010
"EU 2020" Strategy

The Ethical Dimension of the "EU 2020" Strategy - January 2010

The Church and Society Commission has developed this contribution of the European churches for the Consultation of the European Commission on the new "EU 2020" strategy. CSC is asking the European Union to make the implementation of fundamental rights and values a key priority in its framework strategy for the next decade. The contribution gives a number of examples for the implementation of ethical principles in the areas of education, science and technology, employment, social inclusion and democratic participation.

European Year 2010 against Poverty and Social Exclusion

"Poverty Hurts Your Soul" - 19 January 2010

CSC has developed this contribution of the European churches for the European Year 2010. Its objective is to encourage the European institutions, EU Member States and other stakeholders to come to a more holistic understanding of the reasons which lead to poverty and social exclusion, as well as of the manifold impact of poverty and social exclusion not only on the people affected but on the whole society.

Reply from the President's Office to the Open Letter on the economic crisis - September 2009
Reply from Commissioner Vladimir Špidla to the Open Letter on the economic crisis - 7 October 2009

Open letter (English) to the Presidents of the EU Institutions

French translation of the Open Letter to the Presidents of the EU Institutions

Finnish translation of the Open Letter to the Presidents of the EU Institutions

Shaping European Economic and Social Policies in Times of Uncertainty - April 2009

On 29 April 2009 representatives of the European churches met in the European Parliament with representatives of the European institutions to discuss EU's economic and social policies in the ongoing economic crisis. Documents from the meeting:

Programme

Introductory statements on behalf of the Czech Presidency - Martin Zabokrtsky, Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs

Transition from the society of destruction toward the community of creation - János Zsugyel, PhD

Social aspects of the Lisbon Treaty - Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, and Equal Opportunities

Press Release - European churches urge EU to give priority to people in economic crisis
Press Release - CEC sends open letter (English) to the Presidents of the EU Institutions

CSC Documents on Social and Economic Issues 2007-2008

Briefing Paper on Sunday Rest in EU Working Time Directive - 28 November 2008

European churches are pleading for a re-integration of Sunday as a weekly rest day in the revised EU Working Time Directive, which is at the moment discussed in the European Parliament. A decision shall be taken in the Parliament on 16 December 2008.

Documents from the Employment and the Churches in Europe Consultation - 27-29 February 2008

On 27-29 February 2008, CSC together with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the European Contact Group (ECG) held a Consultation on “Employment and the Churches in Europe”.

The Consultation included a Dialogue Seminar with the European Commission on “Flexicurity from a Values Perspective”, which was co-organised with COMECE and the Bureau of European Policy Advisors. The main speakers at the Dialogue Seminar were Mr Vladimir Spidla, the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, and Mr Jan Figel, the Commissioner for Education and Culture.

Response by CSC and CCME to the consultation of the European Commission on “Modernising social protection for greater social justice and economic cohesion: taking forward the active inclusion of people furthest from the labour market (COM (2007) 620)" - 27 February 2008

Joint statement of CSC, CCME and Eurodiaconia to the Commission consultation on “Europe’s Social Reality” and the Communication “Towards a new social vision.”
- 15 February 2008

Joint statement of CSC and Eurodiaconia: Ensuring Social Rights is essential for the EU’S future: Churches and Diaconal Organisations urge EU Member States to maintain the social dimension of the Constitutional Treaty - 19 June 2007

Response of CSC and Eurodiaconia to the Questionnaire on the Commission's proposal to designate 2010 as the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
- 5 June 2007

A Letter to the Presidency of the European Union Federal Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
European churches and diaconal organisations ask EU Member States to deliver on their promises to combat poverty and social exclusion. - 7 March 2007

CEC Church and Society Commission Briefing paper:
EU Green Paper on 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century." - 14 February 2007

Contribution of CSC in cooperation with CCME and ECG to the Green Paper on 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century'. - February 2007

Joint Response of CSC, COMECE, Caritas Europa and Eurodiaconia to the Social Services of General Interest Questionnaire - January 2007

CSC Briefing Paper on the EU Directive on Services in the Internal Market
- April 2007

Joint Response to the Consultation from the Commission regarding Community Action on Health Services.
- 31 January 2007

News

European Citizen's Initiative

Report by Frank-Dieter Fischbach - English

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First Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion - Krakow

A personal report by Rev Frank-Dieter Fischbach

From 17 to 18 October the First Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion took place in Krakow, Poland. The Polish EU-Presidency invited participants in cooperation with the European Commission.

Pictures Krakow Convention