Editorial by Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General

Rationale? Let’s be Rational!

17 October 2014

A ghost haunts Europe again. We were told that the worst of the crisis was behind us, but fresh fears have been stoked by down-turns in the stock markets. Inflation, deflation, depression and many other alarming words have become part of the narrative. As an outsider, it can be almost amusing to listen to the commentary about the developments on the stock markets. These markets are about technology and algorithms – how can it be that the wording used to describe this technology can make a high speed train seem like a snail by comparison? Why this emotionally driven and highly evocative tone? How can markets be ‘afraid’, ‘not in a good mood’ or have any feelings?

When do we take a step back and look behind the linguistic curtain? The fact remains that the financial markets have not been tamed as promised after the outbreak of the crisis. The fact is that speculation is still the major occupation of the dealers and gamblers. The fact is also that the mantra of unqualified growth and of the black zero show that even countries like Germany who seemed to be sheltered from these shocks are confronted with the negative effects of non-investment. Some even speak of the “German illusion”. The reality is that we are facing increasing poverty and unacceptably high unemployment especially among youth. And this reality means there is an urgent need for policy change.

The portfolios for the new Commission are almost entirely distributed. The hearings were more a gentle exercise than a “grilling”. Although there were some partially satisfying answers, the replies did not amount to a real new aspiration. In the debates referring to employment, social affairs and the Europe2020 mid-term review, however, the crying need for a real investment programme was clearly voiced. The trade unions have made a proposal for an investment programme of 2 per cent of GDP. This is realistic and feasible and should inspire the new Commission. The neo-liberals dare to propose the following: financing investment by privatising what is left of public and social services. It is time to stand up for the triple ‘i’ : invest, innovate and implement for social cohesion and social consolidation. This is the rational rationale!

SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards – Call for Nominations

17 October 2014

The SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards were launched in 2000 to raise awareness for organisations and individuals who have significantly contributed to improving social justice and equality around the world.

This event brings together more than 400 people to celebrate individuals and organisations whose extraordinary struggles contribute greatly to social justice and solidarity throughout the world.

The Awards are presented each year at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the European Parliament in Brussels. This year’s edition will take place in February 2014 exact date to be confirmed.

Who can make a nomination?
Everyone is welcome to make a nomination, especially member organisations or other organisations and individuals who actively support SOLIDAR’s work. The deadline for the submission of your nominations is set on 28th November 2014. The nomination should be made by using the nomination form. A more detailed explanation of the procedure you can find here.

Together for Social Europe

Does Commission’s mantra to cut red tape come at the expense of workers’ health and social rights?

14 October 2014

On 14 October, the so-called “Stoiber commission”, a 15-member group that was set up in 2007 and advises the European Commission on how to reduce the regulatory burden for businesses, presented its final report. One of the report’s proposals is to exempt small and medium enterprises (SMEs, with up to 250 employees) from almost all EU regulations regarding health and social protection at work. “SMEs and micro-businesses should be exempted from EU obligations as far as this is possible,” it notes. This would save businesses an estimated €41 billion per year, according to the non-binding report. It further suggests the establishment of a red tape Ombudsman as well as a committee to pre-assess all regulatory proposals for their impact on businesses.
Read more

EU 2020 mid-term review: better coordination and stronger focus on social policies are essential

16 October 2014

On 16th October, the future of the EU2020 Strategy was at the heart of the policy debate both at the Employment and Social Policy Council (EPSCO) and at the European Parliament’s Employment Committee meeting. SOLIDAR calls upon EU institutions to use the occasion of the mid-term revision of the Strategy as an opportunity to restore social cohesion, social inclusion and equality at the core of the EU agenda.
Read more

TTIP: our European Social Model under pressure?

17 October 2014

This week, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, SOLIDAR, Global Progressive Forum, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) will organise a mission to Washington with members of the European and national parliaments including: Jörg Leichtfried (MEP, Austria), David Martin (MEP, UK), Inmaculada Rodríguez Piñero(MEP, Spain), Agn es Jongerius (MEP, Netherlands), Pedro Silva-Pereira (MEP, Portugal), Andreas Schieder (MP, Austria), John Spellar (MP, UK) and Jean-Marc Germain (MP, France). Not only have these partners organised the conference Transatlantic political and economic reflections on TTIP to develop a transatlantic dialogue, various meetings have also been held with US trade negotiators and the American trade union confederation AFL-CIO. SOLIDAR has underlined during these meetings four main questions that are defined in our briefing paper “Transatlantic Trade And Investment Partnership (TTIP): Our ‘Crown Jewels’ For Sale?” and will raise concerns about the impact of the trade and investment partnership on the European Social Model.

Next week we will present the main conclusions of this week of Transatlantic Dialogue.

Building Learning Societies

Let’s achieve validation of learning outcome by 2018!

15 October 2014

On 14 October, SOLIDAR together with La Ligue de l’enseignement organised a conference on “Achieving validation of learning outcomes – best practices and the way forward” hosted by Julie Ward MEP to conclude the “Building Learning Societies: Promoting the validation of non-formal and informal learning” www.buildinglearningsocieties.org project.
Read more

Organising International Solidarity

Lift Gaza blockade and support reconstruction: CSOs message to donor conference in Egypt

13 October 2014

On Sunday 12 October 2014, the Egyptian leader Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi opened a one-day donors’ conference in Cairo with the aim to raise billions of dollars to rebuild the Gaza Strip after a devastating 50-day war with Israel this summer. The conference brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from some 50 countries, including United States Secretary of State John Kerry, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Read more

The Italian Presidency of the EU takes the lead in a repressive anti-migrant policy within the Schengen area: Mos Maiorum

15 October 2014

Just few weeks after the commemoration of the Lampedusa tragedy on 3 October 2013, under the Italian Presidency of the EU, what has been rightly defined a “hunt on migrants” has been launched. The ‘Mos Maiorum’ operation is a two-week (from 13 to 26 October) massive EU-wide border control initiative both within the Schengen area and at its external border. Thousands of police officers will be dispatched to transit points (e. g. railway stations) all around the 26 Schengen countries to seize and possibly deport people without proper documents (estimates suggest there are between 150,000 and 450,000 people without proper documents in the EU).
Read more

Related News

UNRWA Gaza situation report (issue No. 65), read the full report here

Members News

SOLIDAR Member AEDH has published a press release as the Member States of the European Union decide to put pressure on asylum seekers and more generally migrants. The European Association for the Defence of Human Rights (AEDH) regrets this dual police and propaganda operation. Read the press release.

SOLIDAR member the Palestinian NGOs Network and Human Rights Organisations urge UN Secretary General to push for immediate lifting instead of legitimisation of closure over the Gaza Strip.

Our Member EUCIS-LLL proposes A Lifelong Learning Intergroup in the European Parliament. More information on their proposal and how to support it can be found here

Upcoming Events

Conference – Negotiating improvements for the working carers of adults (NICA)
Organised by GFTU with partners in Bulgaria, Malta, Poland and the UK and SOLIDAR
22 October 2014 | 13:30 – 17:30
This conference will be a chance to hear keynote speakers who are experts in this field, engage in panel discussions, confer with colleagues from across Europe and enable delegates to access the comprehensive set of training materials we have developed as part of this project.
Register here

Roundtable Debate – Winning the fight against poverty and inequality: a Social Protection Floor for Everyone
Organised by FES, Brot fur die Welt and SOLIDAR
Tuesday 4 November 2014 | 10:30 – 13:30
In June 2012, ILO Recommendation No. 202 on Social Protection Floors was unanimously adopted by the global community. Through it, governments have committed to ensure universal access to essential services and protection against the risks of sickness, unemployment, poverty, etc. Against this background, in the framework of the Universal Social Protection Advocacy Tour (4-6 November 2014), we are organising a Round Table Debate titled “Winning the fight against poverty and inequality: a Social Protection Floor for Everyone”.
Register here

Roundtable Debate – Supporting Social Investment – the Enlargement Perspective
Organised by IRIS Network and SOLIDAR6 November 2014 | 10:00 – 13:00
This round table will offer the possibility to discuss services of general interest, active inclusion and the role of social service providers in the Western Balkans in promoting quality jobs, economic growth and social investments. Members of the “IRIS Network – Improving social services in SEE” will present their daily work in the context of the EU Enlargement policies and will give examples of good practice in combating poverty and promoting social cohesion. In addition, SOLIDAR’s Annual Monitoring report on EU enlargement will be launched. An agenda will follow in due time.
Register here