The fight against poverty and social exclusion is one of the central tenets in the modernisation of the European social model. Social cohesion is important to the EU’s global strategy of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world. This European Commission paper outlines the objectives for the fight against poverty and social exclusion as finalised by the European Council in 2000. This includes commitment that policies for combating social exclusion should be coordinated.
Poverty and social exclusion take complex and multi-dimensional forms which require the mobilisation of a wide range of policies such as health, housing and education under an overall strategy. Fighting poverty and social exclusion needs to be mainstreamed into policy at national and community level. Related principles include:
- Employment is the best safeguard against social exclusion. In order to promote quality employment, it is necessary to develop employability; social cohesion is a precondition for better economic performance.
- Social protection also plays a key role in combating social exclusion; national assistance, minimum income schemes, retirement pensions and access to health care are all important.
- The emergence of new information and communication technologies is an excellent opportunity to create economic conditions for greater prosperity and open up new forms of participation.
- With regard to information technology, special attention should paid to people with disabilities, and care taken to avoid the risk of creating an ever-widening gap between those with access to knowledge and those without.
National action plans are required to be submitted by June 2001, covering a period of two years, incorporating the following objectives:
- A concern for gender equality must be mainstreamed in all action taken to achieve the stated objectives.
- Facilitate participation in employment and access by all to resources, rights, goods and services: mobilising training, developing policies promoting reconciliation of family/work life; improving employability; providing access to decent housing, basic services and sanitation; access to healthcare; access to education, justice, culture, sport and leisure.
- Prevent the risks of exclusion: fully exploiting the potential of information/communication technologies; developing policies preventing life crises such as indebtedness, school exclusion, homelessness; preserving family solidarity.
- Help the most vulnerable: promoting social integration of those most at risk of persistent poverty; focusing on social integration of children.
- Mobilise all relevant bodies: including those suffering from exclusion, and public authorities at national, regional and local level; promoting dialogue between all parties, public and private, fostering social responsibility.
- Indicators and monitoring mechanisms should be included within national plans, in order to measure progress.
- Member States and the Commission are invited to promote exchanges of good practice, and seek to develop common approaches and compatibility with regard to indicators.
