Brussels, 30/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - The issue of the future of the European Social Fund (ESF), particularly within the framework of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, will be the topic of a policy debate at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday 3 October. Ministers will work from a paper drafted by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU (the Commission will present its proposals on Thursday 6 October), which will direct the debate along three main lines: (1) how can synergies be established between the EUROPE 2020 strategy and the ESF? (2) how can the general effectiveness of the Fund be improved? (3) how should the various structural funds be coordinated? The second item on the Council agenda will relate to preparations for the Tripartite Social Summit which will take place just before the meeting of the European Council on 17 October. Then, the Council will discuss volunteering activities in social policy. Conclusions are expected on this issue in order to underline the importance of volunteering as a tangible expression of active citizenship. The final item to be discussed at the meeting will be management of demographic challenges. The Council is expected in its conclusions to stress the importance of having better coordination between the institutions so that proposals can be found that really can help European citizens balance work and family life. (JK/transl.rt)