Brussels, 10/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a report (to be submitted to the Laeken Summit) analysing governments' social inclusion policies and showing that in pursuing the Lisbon Summit goals, the Commission is committed to a socially cohesive Europe, both in its own right and also as a factor of economic competitiveness (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.11). The report provides a launchpad for strengthening policies and programmes across the EU through co-operation between Member States, in particular through the exchange of good practice. This co-operation will now be stimulated by the new five-year, EUR 75 million social exclusion programme agreed in September between the European Council, Parliament and Commission (see EUROPE of 20 September, p.11).
The report is based on an analysis of national action plans against poverty and social exclusion drawn up for the first time this year and to be submitted every two years, and confirms that tackling poverty and social exclusion continues to be an important challenge facing the European Union where 18% (over 60 million) of the population are at risk of poverty (about half of these people are living in long-term poverty). Children and young people, the elderly, the unemployed and lone parent families have a particularly high risk of poverty. The relative poverty rate (those living below a threshold of 60% of median national income) varies considerably across Member States, from 8% in Denmark, 9% in Finland, 12% in Sweden and Luxembourg to 22% in the United Kingdom and Greece and 23% in Portugal. The report identifies eight core challenges being addressed to a greater or lesser extent by Member States, namely developing an inclusive labour market; guaranteeing adequate income for a decent standard of living; tackling educational disadvantage; preserving family solidarity and protecting the rights of children; ensuring reasonable accommodation for all; guaranteeing equal access to high-quality public services; and regenerating areas of multiple deprivation.
Commenting on the report, Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said, "Social exclusion is a human question… But it is also an economic question and one about governance. An economic question because only a cohesive Europe can tap rich resources of human capital and skills which are presently underutilised. A 'governance' question because the EU is still widely seen as being focussed on the interests of big business rather than the man or woman in the street".