social inclusion

[Save the date] CECODHAS Housing Europe colloquium on the question “Where is housing in the future social contract?”

On 24 and 25 June, CECODHAS Housing Europe (a network of 45 national and regional federations of public, voluntary and cooperative housing providers)) will hold a colloquium on the question “ Where is housing in the future social contract?” in Leuven (Belgium). There will be maximum of 60 participants to ensure productive discussions with participants invited from a range of EU countries and with different housing sector interests. The summer academy will build on the expertise of participants to draw up a participatory programme.

[EPT] Roma NRIS – Policy Framework – National Roma Integration Strategies (17 June 2013)

National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) Many of the estimated 10-12 million Roma in Europe face prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion in their daily lives. They are marginalised and live in very poor socio-economic conditions. This EU Framework seeks to make a tangible difference to Roma people’s lives. It is the EU’s response to the current situation and does not replace Member States’ primary responsibility in this regard. With this EU (...)

[Roundtable] Commissioner Reding and Andor on Roma rights

The European Commission intends to maintain a regular dialogue and close co-operation with all stakeholders active in the field of Roma inclusion. In line with this approach, Commissioners Viviane Reding (justice, fundamental rights and citizenship) and László Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) co-organised a roundtable meeting with EU civil society representatives, in order to have a thorough exchange of views on progress (or the lack of it) made on Roma integration and to (...)

European Year of Citizens: Are Roma people European citizens like any others?

The ’’citizenship gap’’ between Roma and non-Roma was taken up by a conference organised by the European Roma Information Office (ERIO) at the European Economic and Social Committee on 22 April 2013. The International Romani Day 8 April is a good day to remember what happened recently to members of the Roma community in Europe. In France alone, about 10,000 Roma were sent back to Romania and Bulgaria in 2009. The following year, at least another 8,300 Roma were (...)

[Save the date] EPHA 4th Annual Conference 4-5 September 2013, Brussels

On 4 and 5 September 2013 the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) will celebrate 20 years of helping shape Europe’s public health. EPHA is using this milestone as an opportunity to look at how we can foster an EU that is coherent in its decisions, in terms of fostering the health and well-being of people living in Europe. Brave New World: Inclusive Growth and Well-Being or Vested Interests and Lost Generations? (Venue: The International Association Centre (IAC) 40, Rue (...)

European Year for Citizens - moving to a Union for Citizens

On 23 April 2013 the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, organised a high level event to help focus on European citizens and how they can contribute to shaping the European Union. The Ombudsman was joined by, among others, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Maroš Šefčovič Vice-President of the European Commission. EPHA congratulates the European Ombudsman for addressing the (...)

[EPHA Call to Action] Health in the reform of economic governance

EPHA has launched a call for action for health, civil society and the reform of EU economic governance. Since the financial crisis began in 2007, the EU has introduced numerous new mechanisms, such as tighter coordination of economic and fiscal policies, to alleviate the current symptoms and prevent their recurrence. Several of those measures have impacts on health systems and consequently on health. The EU nowadays has stronger influence and control over national health systems than it (...)

EPHA briefing: Health in the Europe 2020 Strategy

The Europe 2020 Strategy was launched in 2010 to promote ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’. It sets targets for employment, innovation, climate and energy policy, education and social inclusion, most of which are in some way related to health policies and priorities. For example, public health has clear implications for work hours, labour force participation, early retirement, and health and safety at work, and these factors impact on health. In the Annual Growth Survey (...)

[Public Statement] International Romani Day - the curse of being Roma in Europe and getting proper healthcare

It is high time for the EU and national leaders to fix all what is wrong with the social factors that trap the Roma population in a vicious cycle of ill-health. Policy-makers can do a better job to make sure that Roma people across Europe do not have to endure an additional series of obstacles to become healthy and productive members of the societies in which they live. Six million Roma live in the EU (1), in what represents Europe’s largest ethnic group. The Roma are one of the most (...)

OECD & EPHA - Inclusive Growth only possible by challenging current growth model

On April 3, EPHA Secretary General participated in a high-level workshop on "Defining and Measuring Inclusive Growth" organised by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). With this initiative, the OECD wants to revise the way economic growth is approached– from purely pro-growth to inclusive growth – while seeking ways to improve the way policy is made and implemented. A key objective of the workshop was to develop a roadmap for policies for inclusive (...)