19/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - The conference in Bruges on 14 March on encouraging social capital for more inclusive European societies, organised by the College of Europe and the holding company Cera, demonstrated “real mobilisation around social inclusion challenges” that national authorities should reflect in their reform plans. The various processes pertaining to the Lisbon strategy should be better coordinated as the number of poor people in Europe is not declining. The key issue is the involvement of the poor and of all organisations in the definition of projects and policies in combating the causes of exclusion, says a press release from the College of Europe. Political actions and reflections should express the hopes and fears linked to the future of social protection systems. Countries from the North and South must join together on appropriate concepts and objectives, but without causing a superabundance of concepts. Information: http://www.coleurope.be (G.B.)