A new poker game: all cards on the table?
19 February 2016

In the wake of the announced EU referendum the European summit has again discussed the British PM’s proposals. There is no European who wants to the see the UK leaving the European Union, for economic, political and cultural reasons. European Civil Society Organisations and NGOs have many active British members and the same goes for business and the trade unions. Nevertheless if the actual polls are an accurate reflection of the mood on the other side of the channel, nothing is lost and nothing is won.

The negotiations between the British PM and the European institutions seem scary: one challenger arrives regularly with ever stronger demands, weakening social standards and social systems in Europe, weakening whatever remains of the idea of solidarity between Member States within a Union. First it was to exclude foreigners from social benefits for four years and now there’s even a mention of a 13-year ban on EU migrant benefits also known as the ‘emergency brake’. EU leaders remain patient, but these proposals could be considered a provocation. They are simply unacceptable, as they do not correspond to our Treaties or to our International conventions. We need to understand the impact and consequence of a bad compromise. Giving in to the UK’s demands might lead us even further away from an EU that stands and strives for social justice. But will the EU leadership uphold its values, or sacrifice them for an agreement that is solely binding on the EU side, while still up for voting in the UK itself in a referendum still do be scheduled?

European civil society is ready to support their British members and colleagues if they so wish. The difficulty, again, is that reason does not always prevail over the emotion, over the feeling and sentiment of rejection. Despite all the strong European convictions we can bring to bear, our weakness is that we are not able to make a strong case for what Europe is bringing in terms of social progress, solidarity and protection. It is often said that policy does not like a vacuum. The Social Union is not a fantasy, it is a very real need, particularly at a time when the financial markets are under threat, fearful of a potential financial crisis sweeping over from China.

At least the social democratic family has sent a clear statement ahead of the Council: A Social Europe is where the UK should stay; the Schengen area is vital. This should be the leitmotiv for a larger progressive coalition and THE signal to be sent to British citizens. EU leaders could perhaps take inspiration from tomorrow’s ‘World Day of Social Justice’. The Schengen area is vital, and there was no better underlining of this message and commitment than in the EESC plenary this week as expressed by business, trade unions and civil society. We need these kind of commitments and clear stands. Because we want Britain in, for Britain and for Europe, but not at any price!

SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards, the Progressive Civil Society Awards – The call for nominations is open

Who should receive this year’s SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards?

Nominate now the organisation or individual whose efforts should be recognised with a Silver Rose Award in one of the three categories, Together for Social Europe, Building Learning Societies or Organising International Solidarity. The Silver Rose Nomination form.

SOLIDAR makes integration happen!
Volkshilfe Austria and Solidar Suisse providing support for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
17 February 2016

With no end to the Syrian crisis in sight, the amount of Syrian refugees in Lebanon remains high: According to the UNHCR 1.08 million refugees were registered in September 2015. The unofficial total is estimated to be 1.2 million, when unregistered persons are included. An analysis by the UNHCR revealed that 43% of Syrian refugees do not have sufficient resources to cover the purchase of essential goods and services.

Against the background of this precarious situation in Lebanon we showcase one of many projects in the conflict area SOLIDAR members are currently undertaking. SOLIDAR members Volkshilfe Austria and Solidar Suisse have set up a project “Support for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon”. In the first project phase refugee families were provided with warm blankets, heating stoves and fuel. All measures are coordinated and in line with the UNHCR. During the summer months the refugees received hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, kitchen ware, dignity kits for women and baby kits.
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Together for Social Europe
The EU Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review – Winter Edition

18 February 2016

On 11 February 2016 the European Commission published the EU Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review Winter Edition which provides in-depth analysis of recent labour market and social developments. The review indicates improvements on the EU labour market and signs of strengthened economic recovery in most Member States.

Although there are some improvements in numbers, there is no reason to celebrate as huge disparities continue to exist between and within Member States, in terms of economic development, employment rates and other key social and labour market indicators. SOLIDAR wants to see economic and social reforms at EU and national level that lead to a real upward social convergence and that are supportive of a socially inclusive Europe, providing economic security for all, fighting poverty, inequality and discrimination, promoting equal opportunities for all across all fields of life. Such a rights-based approach builds on comprehensive and integrated social policies and is grounded on the availability, accessibility and affordability of services of general interest, in particular in the social, health and education sectors.
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More solidarity needed to safeguard free movement and improve management of external borders
18 February 2016

In 2015, Europe celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement that marked the start of the process that abolished internal border controls and guaranteed free movement within a territory of 26 Member States. This is one of the main achievements of the European project which had a significant impact on European integration, intercultural dialogue, harmonisation of rights and the creation of a single market. However, as a response to the increased migrant flow and as a consequence of the terroristic attacks in Paris, many Member States decided to suspend the Schengen agreements and reintroduce border controls.

SOLIDAR has concerns about this approach that is not only detrimental towards the rights achieved in the last years but also is not going to solve the issue. The reasons why Schengen is at risk do not have anything to do with the malfunctioning of management of internal borders, but rather with the insufficient commitment of Member States to work in solidarity on the control of the external borders and to implement the Common European Asylum system (CEAS).
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Social Progress Watch promoting integration and intercultural dialogue – Lessons learnt from SOLIDAR members promoting integration and intercultural dialogue
17 February 2016

Case studies from Italy, Croatia and the Netherlands

The exceptional refugee and migrant flow to Europe of recent months represents a set of challenges and opportunities which cannot be solved by emergency measures alone, it must be accompanied by comprehensive investment plans to facilitate long-term integration of the newcomers and social cohesion.

In 2015 SOLIDAR carried out an extensive consultation to map out our members’ activities and collected case studies presenting examples of SOLIDAR members’ activities. Some of these case studies show the important role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in promoting inclusive growth and social cohesion in Europe, with a focus on migrants’ integration.
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Building Learning Societies
School for peace: Promoting active inclusion and community development through education and lifelong learning opportunities
18 February 2016

The concept of social exclusion is widely known and used in Europe, and yet it is likely that we do not always share the same definition of it and put a different meaning behind it. Social exclusion is most frequently defined in contrast to poverty. However, it is a relational rather than a redistributive idea. Although poverty can lead to social exclusion, as well as the reverse, it is also possible for rich members to be part of excluded groups. Thus, it is not strictly a question of insufficient material resources. Social exclusion should therefore rather be defined as the process of declining participation, solidarity, and access to opportunities. The problem of social exclusion is usually tied to that of equal opportunity, as some people are more subject to such exclusion than others.

With this in mind, education and lifelong learning can be powerful tools to actively combat social exclusion by offering and creating opportunities for everybody. It is therefore of greatest importance to promote and facilitate access to lifelong learning and educational opportunities for those who received the least education and are the most disadvantaged. Open and flexible learning pathways are key to ensuring opportunities for everyone to return to education.

This is also the understanding of SOLIDAR’s Spanish member organisation The Movement for Peace (MPDL) which, amongst others, promotes active inclusion and community development through an educational project called ‘the School for Peace’.
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Organising International Solidarity
How to mainstream social protection in the European Development Fund’s (EDF) National Indicative Programmes (NIPs). African and Caribbean civil society shows us the way.
19 February 2016

Agenda 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda have reiterated governments’ commitment to the realisation of decent work and social protection for all: “We are committed to ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including by eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. All people must enjoy a basic standard of living, including through social protection systems.” (Agenda 2030, paragraph 24)

The EU, through its development cooperation policy and programmes, is already greatly contributing to the achievement of these objectives. The forthcoming review of the National Indicative Programmes (NIPs) negotiated in the framework of the 11th European Development Fund, can be an opportunity to further pursue the progressive realisation of the right to decent work and social protection for all and better align the EDF programme with the Agenda 2030 spirit.

Through the Social Protection Monitor, launched this week to mark the World Day for Social Justice (20 February 20), African and Caribbean CSOs will tell us how. This week Malawi will be in the spotlight…

Read the full version of the Social Protection Monitor report from Malawi here.

Every week, we’ll highlight one of the country reports that have been the result of the joint efforts by the FES, Africa Platform for Social Protection and SOLIDAR. This week’s edition covers Malawi, you can read the full version of the communication here.

Palestinian NGO Network demands for wider international solidarity campaign to save Al-Qeeq’s life
19 February 2016

Al-Qeeq has been on hunger strike for 84 days, in protest against his arbitrary imprisonment by the Israeli authorities without charges or a fair trial. The refusal of the Israeli High Court to transfer

Al-Qeeq to the al-Makassed hospital in the West Bank is putting his life at serious risk.

SOLIDAR welcomes the call made by Martina Anderson, MEP (GUE/NGL) who chairs the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Palestine, upon the EU to immediately intervene and put pressure on the Israeli government to free Al-Qeeq and to ensure that he receives the urgent medical attention he needs. In addition, Anderson called for a suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel until it complies with international law.
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