Social Issues

The European Year of Citizens Alliance (EYCA)

‘The European Year of Citizens Alliance (EYCA) is an open network of European and national civil society organisations willing to promote active citizenship as a core element of the European democracy in the context of the European Year of Citizens 2013.’ The EYCA On 11 August 2011, the European Commission proposed to designate 2013 as the “European Year of Citizens” to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the European Union Citizenship under the (...)

European Parliament puts spotlight on the importance of social housing in the EU

On June 11, the Plenary Session of the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of an initiative report on social housing in the European Union, drafted by Karima Delli MEP (France, Greens/European Free Alliance). European, local and regional representatives have meanwhile launched a petition for a European social housing action framework. In the same vein, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published a new sectoral briefing on housing. The EP report acknowledges the role (...)

[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.

How to reinforce the social dimension of the EU under the Lithuanian Presidency?

Lithuania will hold the rotating EU presidency of the Council in the second half of 2013 (July-December 2013). The Social Platform, (an alliance of representative European federations and networks of non-governmental organisations active in the social sector) organised a conference focusing on the social dimension of the EU. EPHA – as member of the Social Platform – transferred important messages (the possibilities of civil society, the relevance of poverty for public health, (...)

[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 (...)

[eHealth week] eHealth innovation must be driven by full inclusion

13 May, Brussels -The motto of the 2013 eHealth week (13-15 May), which kicks off today, is ‘Delivering Innovative Healthcare and Well-being’. According to the European Commission, eHealth Week aims to encourage continuous investment in health IT in an effort to improve patient care and get a handle on rising medical costs. An integral part of this year’s eHealth Week is the High Level eHealth Conference, organised by the Irish Presidency and the European Commission. (...)

EP resolution underlines the need for action on medicines access problem

On 18 April, the European Parliament (EP) voted on a Resolution on the impact of the financial and economic crisis on human rights. The resolution highlighted some of the global impacts of the crisis on the right to health. EPHA applauds the EP’s recognition of the multiple impacts of the crisis on ordinary people and the need to further champion public health across Europe. The Resolution states that "the rising price of medicines (by up to 30%) is having a negative impact on 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 (...)

Addressing fuel poverty in deprived urban areas

A practical example from the United Kingdom on how to tackle several social determinants of health (e.g. housing and energy) and have climate change benefits: In the last 18 months, more than 1,600 houses in the poorest parts of Stockton-on-Tees (United Kingdom) have benefited from free energy efficiency measures to cut local carbon emissions and reduce fuel bills. As well as external cladding, many homes have also received new boilers, central heating systems and internal insulation (...)

European Commission proposes €3.9 million to help former tobacco workers in Austria

Tobacco is the single largest avoidable health risk in the EU, accounting for nearly 700 000 premature deaths each year. Around 50% of smokers die prematurely (on average 14 years earlier). This initiative is an example of how EU funds can be used to help former tobacco farmers and workers to find a new job and mitigate the social impacts of career change. The European Commission has proposed providing Austria with €3.9 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to (...)