Since the launch of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) in 2017, the European Social Network (ESN) has been working closely with public social services on its implementation. Speaking at the digital kick-off event ‘For a Strong and Equal Europe’, Alfonso Lara Montero, Chief Executive Officer of ESN explained why:
“Public social services are key role in promoting social inclusion, which is a central component to realising the principles and objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights”
On 22 February, the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth organised this meeting as part of a series of events on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. Participating were Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and national ministers from France and Germany, with Mr Lara Montero representing social services in the discussions around the priorities of implementing the EPSR.
Pillar Action Plan
The European Pillar of Social Rights aims to guarantee European citizens’ social rights, consisting of 20 principles to ensure a Europe that is fair, inclusive and offers opportunities for all. In March 2021, the European Commission adopted an Action Plan with specific objectives and initiatives to implement these general principles, providing the EU with a roadmap until 2024 to achieve a more social Europe.
Against the backdrop of environmental, digital and demographic changes as well as the socio-economic consequences of Covid-19, the EPSR and the action plan are a guide to updating the EU’s ‘social rules’ that aim to ensure that everyone across the EU can have a good quality of life.
Recognising the essential role of social services
During his intervention, Mr Lara Montero stressed the need for the statutory duty to care of public social services to be explicitly referenced by the European Commission in the Action Plan. By providing care, social services provide an essential service to society, just like health or education, and this should be recognised so that they receive appropriate funding and resources to deliver quality services.
The moderator of the event, Alva Finn, Secretary General of the Social Platform, supported this point. “We will all need care at some point in our lives, we therefore require a shift in perspective to view social services as essential services,” she said.
Care Guarantee
ESN believes a universal guarantee of home or community-based care so that public social services can provide care across the life-cycle should be the next step in the Pillar’s implementation.
“The European Commission’s Care Strategy is a step in the right direction; however, ESN promotes a life cycle approach that acknowledges that anyone could need care at any stage in their life. A common thread throughout the EPSR is to provide support to those who need it, therefore, ESN proposes a care guarantee for all,” stressed Mr Lara Montero.
The Pillar as a compass for the social recovery?
Commissioner Schmit highlighted the need for cooperation, saying “implementing the EPSR is a common enterprise between member states, civil society, and the regional and local level.” The question of implementing the EPSR becomes more pertinent than ever to ensure a social as well as an economic recovery after Covid-19.
The 30th edition of the European Social Services Conference in June this year will bring these actors together in dialogue to inspire action. With its theme of ‘recovery,’ it will be an opportunity to discuss how after the last two years, public authorities and third sector organisations have started to change the way they implement their social services, the innovations they have they put in place, and how they intend to make them sustainable. How the EPSR can be a compass for our social recovery will be a key aspect of the discussions.
ESN response to the Consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (2020)
ESN response to the Consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights (2016)
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