NGOs’ anger at Commission failure on future of Europe

The Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs has been the overarching framework for EU action since 2000. Its mandate will come to an end on 31 December 2010, and a new “EU 2020” strategy will be approved in 2010.

French MEP Pervenche Berès (S&D), Chair of the European Parliament’s employment committee said that current plans ignore the weaknesses of the Lisbon Strategy and will not build a sustainable Europe. More particularly, she argued that the draft focuses too much on exit strategies in terms of fiscal consolidation, while not giving attention to the fight against poverty and social exclusion, which sould be a key priority for the EU in 2010.

"The Commission’s approach to poverty reduction is closer to charity than to a real commitment to fighting social inequalities," she claimed, adding that "this shows a complete lack of understanding for the causes that lead to the current crisis: i.e. social inequalities, growing divergences within the EU and global imbalances".

She added that "the ill-named ’new jobs agenda’ should focus on job creation, not on flexicurity and mobility. As regards the fight against poverty and social exclusion, the Commission is paying a minimum service tribute to the European Year 2010. Its approach to poverty reduction is closer to charity than to a real commitment to fighting social inequalities. This shows a complete lack of understanding for the causes that lead to the current crisis: i.e. social inequalities, growing divergences within the EU and global imbalances".

The EU2020 strategy has also been criticised by gender-equality advocates. The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) is "alarmed" at the lack of vision, and in its view gender equality is not addressed in the draft, even though women have accounted for a quarter of economic growth every year since 1995.

Thus, the EWL urges the Commission to make gender equality a priority in the 2020 strategy, with a commitment to eliminate the gender pay gap by 2020. Other points are to develop a care sector that offers better working conditions to employeers with more options, and for "real lessons to be drawn from the financial crisis".

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) said that "the 2020 strategy is designed as Europe’s vision of where the EU wants to be - economically and socially - ten years from now, and frankly, we are alarmed by the vision, or lack of vision, the Commission has presented: the current draft overemphasises short-term economic recovery rather than long-term strategies for real socioeconomic growth and well-being". "The Commission’s ’crisis-approach’ operates under the false assumption that the global financial meltdown was somehow an external, unforeseeable event. In contrast, we believe that unregulated financial markets, putting capital before people, growing inequalities and the absence of women in financial decision-making were not unrelated symptoms but root causes of the current recession," it said. 

The lobby went on to say "we are even more concerned that this vision does not sufficiently address equality between women and men, even as women have accounted for a quarter of economic growth every year since 1995. Despite this, women still face a persistent gender pay gap, glass ceilings in corporations, high levels of part-time work and insufficient care options for children and other dependants".

"EWL therefore calls for equality targets to be put at the heart of the 2020 strategy, for a firm commitment to close the gender pay gap by 2020, for the development of a care sector that offers its employees better working conditions and those employing them more options, and for real lessons to be drawn from the financial crisis," it said.

At the same time, the draft does offer some improvements, as Conny Reuter points out,"it’s very encouraging that the Commission has agreed to propose a more social EU 2020 agenda and to make the fight against poverty one of the priorities of the strategy. But you can’t score without knowing where the goalposts are – the strategy needs a poverty reduction target with the delivery mechanisms and financial resources to reach it". He went on to note that "the EU 2020 agenda should also include what can be the only logical response to the social crisis people are currently living through: a strong anti-discrimination dimension and a commitment to reinforce universal protection systems and policies, to give all people in the EU quality jobs and a decent quality of life".

The European Commission consultation document outlined a strategy along the following three themes:
 creating value through knowledge;
 empowering people in inclusive societies;
 creating a more competitive, connected and greener economy.

The results of the consultation will be used for a future European Commission Communication to be presented ahead of the Spring 2010 European Council meeting. This was an opportunity for the voice of the health community to be heard calling for changes to the way ’we do business’ in Europe. However publication of the summary of responses was not a good early indicator of a positive change for Europe.

Europe with healthy, citizens and strong health systems

Following an intensive consultation period with its members, the EU Health Policy Forum (EUHPF) submitted a strongly-worded letter to President Barroso with an outline of a strategy for Europe to deliver good health, social and environmental outcomes.

Social NGOs’ anger at misrepresentation

Many NGOs in Brussels have responded in anger at the summary of responses. Conny Reuter, President of the Social Platform said:

“We represent 42 pan-European social NGO networks, and find that the overview of the responses to the EU2020 consultation totally mischaracterises the position of our sector. It claims that we “broadly support the Commission’s proposed priorities”, yet our response to the consultation explicitly said the opposite: that the proposed text represented a step back for social cohesion and social inclusion in Europe.

The overview paper is clearly an attempt to gloss over the positions of stakeholders that contradict the Commission’s view, presumably to influence the outcome of the Informal European Council on February 11. We will shortly be writing to the EU heads of state on this issue, and call on President Van Rompuy and the European Parliament to organise their own consultations with civil society, to hear what citizens have to say in these vital discussions on the overarching EU strategy for the next decade.”

EPHA members join call to Commission

EPHA members Mental Health Europe and AGE also reacted to the publication of the consultation. Mental Health Europe said "Mental Health Europe responded to the EU 2020 consultation and pointed out that one of Europe’s main goals should be to ensure social cohesion in the European Union and to reduce inequalities. This includes combating the negative effects of the economic and financial crisis and growing unemployment which already had a considerable impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the population as many people are suffering from growing unemployment, fear and financial insecurity."

Whereas the disappointment from the Older People’s Platform was very clear: “The Commission analysis of social NGOs contributions does not mirror AGE members’ rather disappointing assessment of the policy guidelines for Europe 2020 strategy proposed earlier by the Commission”, said Anne-Sophie Parent, AGE Director. “We regret in particular the missed opportunity to approach demographic ageing as an opportunity and draw on its potential for the whole EU in the coming decade", added Parent. "The Commission should take account of the major conclusion from social NGOs on the strategy proposal, i.e. “…that the social dimension is weak, if not absent, in spite of the stated intentions”. This is THE key message that the Commission should bring to the upcoming informal European Council on 11 February. It is urgent that EU leaders listen to EU citizens’ concerns and draw the lessons from the past and present crisis”, concluded Ms Parent.

"Families need to feel support"

Other NGOs have also come out against the report: William Lay, Director of COFACE, European Platform for Families, insists that "one of the most urgent measures is to tackle the unacceptable inequalities between the populations, and not just in terms of "education" or "qualification" levels. Indeed, there needs to be a strong commitment to social policies including the redistribution of wealth and continued funding of efficient social protection systems. Ignoring inequalities will only contribute to widening the gap between the rich and the poor and reinforcing discrimination. Families need to feel support from the EU institutions for improvement of their everyday lives."

"We will have even greater inequalities"

The European Anti-Poverty Network was very concerned about the outcomes of the consultation: “We do not accept that the revised Lisbon strategy has worked well. Without a significant refocusing of the strategy, then in 2020 we will not have a reduction in the numbers of people living in poverty in the EU and we will have even greater inequalities - leading to a greater loss of trust in our Democratic systems” said Fintan Farrell, EAPN Director. “If ‘growth and jobs’ failed to deliver an impact on poverty levels in periods of good economic conditions then how can you credibly expect 79 million people already living in poverty in the EU to believe that it will work in times of economic crisis?” added Mr Farrell.

“The EU Leaders when they meet at their special Council on 11 February to discuss the EU2020 strategy must come to conclusions that are credible to the public” said Mr Ludo Horemans, President of EAPN. “They need to agree an EU2020 strategy that puts people and planet before profit and which is based on social and sustainable growth with the eradication of poverty, social exclusion and the reduction of inequality clearly identified as a specific objective of the strategy” added Mr Horemans.

The discussions will continue ahead of the Council, and EPHA will also respond to the report in the coming days.

EUHPF Open Letter to President Barroso

This is an open letter to President Barroso on the future of Europe, and Europe’s 2020 Strategy

EUHPF contribution to the EU 2020 consultation

This document is the response by the EU Health Policy Forum to the Commission consultation on the future of Europe

Related EPHA Articles

EU2020 ’does not go far enough’ on environment and energy

****Updated*****Guide to the 2010 European Year for Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion

Future Belgian Presidency discusses the Lisbon Strategy with civil society

Lisbon Strategy achieves ’limited progress’ for European workers

EU Presidencies until 2020

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