EU social policies" "
“COMECE has repeatedly emphasized the importance of social policies and the Lisbon process that placed the promotion of social integration among the main issues of the global strategy of the European Union”, but believes it is also necessary to listen and give voice to the “regions, municipalities and volunteer service associations”. So said Stefen Lunte, delegate for economic and social policy of the Commission of the episcopates of the European Union (COMECE). His assessment of the measures to combat social marginalization (the “good practices”) taken by the EU with its programme of joint action, established to encourage cooperation among member states on the matter on the basis of Decision no.50/2002 EC of the European Parliament and Council of 7 December 2001, is largely positive, though with some reservations. In recent months COMECE has contributed to the work group “Social Europe” of the European Convention with a document of its own emphasizing, among other things, the need for “respect for human dignity as the basic value” for social policies, as well as solidarity and subsidiarity, and the importance of “a structured dialogue between the EU and the Churches and religious communities”. The action programme against social marginalization. The five-year programme runs from 1st January 2002 to 31 December 2006. It is also open to the participation of the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe, and is aimed at promoting cooperation between member states and increasing the effectiveness of policies aimed at combating social marginalization through a better understanding of the phenomenon of poverty, the organization of exchanges on the policies implemented and the creation of networks at the European level to effectively combat the problem. The European Commission, in cooperation with the member states, shall adopt the necessary provisions to promote the participation in the programme of all interested parties (organizations aimed at combating social marginalization, NGOs, universities) and provide information on the actions undertaken. The stages planned as part of the programme include: analysis of characteristics, processes, causes and trends in the field of social emargination; cooperation and exchange of information and better practices; participation of the various protagonists and support for the creation of networks at the European level. The financial allocation to fund the programme amounts to 75 million euros. It is up to the Commission regularly to control and evaluate the present programme together with the member states. A final report on its implementation will be presented by the Commission by 31/12/2006. The judgement of the bishops. “COMECE says Lunte judges positive the exchange of experiences between the governments, but we also believe that the same should happen between the regions, municipalities and volunteer service associations invited to consider the situation of the socially excluded in their territory. If there are difficulties in the implementation of this five-year action programme against social marginalization, they stem from some governments that lack conviction and faith in the action of the Commission. We believe, on the contrary, that the Commission will do what it is supposed to do to better understand the phenomenon of exclusion, to organize exchanges at the national level and to assess the capacity of the individual members to work on this terrain”. As for the financial allocation of 75 million euros, “I think it represents a good start” continues Lunte. He also explains that “COMECE is working on a position paper on the question, which will recommend new financial commitments. We should not forget warn the European bishops that with the entry of ten new countries into the EU we will have new economic and social disparities never before seen in Europe. That’s why we need to work together to limit and resolve these disparities”.
