EU Statement – United Nations Commission for Social Development: Social Integration

Summary: 3 February 2010, New York – Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Trinidad Jiménez García-Herrera, Minister of Health and Social Policy, Spain, at the 48th Session of the Commission for Social Development, "Social Integration"

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The following countries align themselves with this statement: the candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia(*), the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia.

Mr. Chairman,

Social integration and social cohesion play a central role in economic development and they will continue to be a major objective in the political commitment for sustainability, stability and prosperity for the entire EU.

Europe, as the rest of the world, has been hit hard by the worst economic and financial crisis in decades, which has resulted in a strong economic contraction. Job growth has stopped and employment rates have shrunk considerably. Unemployment rates have begun to rise since their lowest 6.7% in March 2008 and could increase to 11% in 2010 if labour market policy and performance do not change.

Some categories of workers are in the firing line of the crisis, including young workers, persons with disabilities, less skilled workers, temporary workers or subject to mobility within the EU, immigrants and older persons. The rate of youth unemployment reached 21.4% in the EU-27 as of November 2009 compared to 14.7% at the end of 2007. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the unemployment rate among workers who are not from the EU grew faster than among the rest of workers and reached 16% compared to 14% last year.

Experience shows that many workers who lost their jobs due to a temporary decline in the labour market demand are at risk of permanent exclusion from the labour market with catastrophic consequences for individuals, families and for the entire society. National experiences from past crises show that in some cases short-term responses to high unemployment rates not only resulted in the exclusion of individuals from the labour market, but also had long-term negative effects on society as a whole. Among the long-term consequences of the crisis seen in some countries, there are groups of unemployed or inactive workers who tend to remain in this situation in spite of recovery. It is vital therefore, that as our economies recover, we seek to ensure that employment growth accompanies economic growth, and to address long-term unemployment, focusing on increased labour market participation and help for unemployed people to find work.

In order to overcome the crisis successfully and to achieve the future goals of the EU 2020 Strategy, presently under public discussion we need to develop a strategy for convergence and integration which recognises more explicitly the strong interdependence within the EU, whether between Member States as regards the (positive or negative) impact of national measures, particularly in the eurozone, or between the different levels of authority (EU, Member States, regions, social partners), and also between the different stakeholders at the international level. No Member State is strong enough to undertake this transformation by itself. The Global Jobs Pact by the ILO provides us with an adequate policy mix of options that should lead us at all levels in our response to the crisis.

The challenge is to become a stronger, more sustainable social economy, that is to say, an inclusive economy, more intelligent and more environmentally-friendly, which will require an increasing coordination. It would be necessary to integrate and strengthen political instruments by linking institutional reforms, improvement of regulations, new initiatives and public investments, and the recent proposal of the Commission for the consultation of EU Member States has been structured based on the following pillars:

Revision and adaptation of the Lisbon Strategy for the period post 2010 will therefore be one of the most important areas of activity in the coming months, coinciding with the Spanish Presidency of the EU. It should respond to the EU diversity with the cohesion of territorial areas, increased protection of disadvantaged social groups with a long-term approach reflecting the interdependence between economic, employment, social and environmental policies.

The UE 2020 Strategy will succeed the current Lisbon Strategy, which has been the EU reform strategy for the past decade and has helped the EU to manage the recent crisis. The European Social Agenda 2005-2010 has complemented and supported the Lisbon Strategy focusing on the creation of decent jobs and on equal opportunities for all persons as a means to achieve social inclusion.

The European Parliament and the European Council designated this year 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The purpose is to raise awareness on the EU commitment to persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and to make citizens reflect on the problems these persons have to face, while promoting social participation in the prevention of poverty and social exclusion.

The main goals of the European Year are: a) Recognition of rights of citizens, with special attention to vulnerable persons, enabling them to enjoy a dignified life and to participate in society; b) Shared responsibility and participation both at collective and individual level; c) Social cohesion as the core of public policies; and d) Political commitment of the EU to the eradication of poverty.

The European Union strongly supports the activities of the Commission for Social Development, which plays a major role for development, inclusion and social cohesion worldwide.

The EU as a whole is the world’s largest aid donor and is committed to helping developing countries achieve the MDGs. Based on its experience of promoting social integration and inclusive development the EU and member states can play a catalytic role in helping people in need in developing countries, to combat poverty. This could be done through adopting a coherent approach to economic and social policy making, promoting inclusive processes (aged people, youth, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, women) and placing social policymaking within a process of participation and accountability.

Mr. Chairman,

Finally, the EU would like to reiterate its commitment to the promotion of social integration and social cohesion policies through a multilateral system by which we recognise that all relevant stakeholders are needed, including social .partners, civil society, non-profit entities, and the private sector in order to move forward along this path. The Decent Work Agenda has a key role to play in our path to a global and fair sustainable social economy. Employment, equality, social protection and inclusion should be the pillars of the European commitment and the commitment of all international organisations. We have learnt that a crisis in the 21st century does not respect borders, that Europe is not an island. Therefore, we want to share experiences and best practices with our nearest and fairest neighbours, to encourage the international community to assist wherever necessary and to recognise that social inclusion, participation and protection is an overarching goal.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilization and Association Process.

Ref: EUUN10-006EN
EU source: EU Presidency
UN forum: ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), (including functional Commissions)
Date: 3/2/2010

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