Thirty-seven European leaders, ministers, MEPs, representatives of the social partners, the Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee signed an open letter at the end of the Porto Social Forum on 26 and 27 May, renewing the commitments made at the Porto Social Summit in May 2021 (see EUROPE 12716/3) which aim to achieve, by 2030, that the employment rate in the European Union be at least 78%, that at least 60% of adults participate each year in training, and that the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion be reduced by at least 15 million, including five million children.
The declaration also marks the commitment of the signatories to accelerate “the objective of the European guarantee for children, as well as the objectives set for skills and qualifications in times of double transition (green and digital)”, indicated the organisers of the event.
The Porto Social Forum acknowledges the “social model as an advantage at the global level and by highlighting – in the framework of the European Year of Skills – how robust policies on skills, education and training can create better employment and swifter integration in the labour market and foster social inclusion, and consequently boost the resilience and competitiveness of the EU’s economy and society”, says a press release.
“Europe is about people. It is about workers, businesses and civil society. It is about ensuring a level playing field for people and all companies. It is about creating quality jobs that enable everyone to fulfil their right potential and assuring a decent living for all”, say the 37 signatories, among them the European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Oliver Röpke, MEPs Agnes Jongerius (S&D, Dutch) and Dennis Radtke (EPP, German) and the Portuguese, Spanish, Belgian, Austrian, Dutch and French Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs.
Referring to the war in Ukraine that broke out after the first Porto Summit in 2021, they say it is difficult to “evaluate the full effects”, particularly on the most vulnerable people in our societies. But this war “strengthened the bonds of solidarity between Europeans and compelled us to find answers to the strategic debate around Europe’s influence in the world. It is time to debate how central the European social model and our common social policies are in a wider and stronger Europe”.
“The EU’s economic prosperity goes hand in hand with its strong social dimension. We must give greater visibility to social rights and reinforce the assessment of social standards and upward social convergence", add the authors, who are committed to ensuring that the spirit of the Porto Summit in 2021 continues. The Portuguese government will organise a progress report every two years.
Link to the declaration (the Forum organisers have not sent any other official document): https://aeur.eu/f/742 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)