Editorial by Conny Reuter

Red Line, Not Red Tape

The last European Summit, which took place on 24-25 October, was “interesting” – like the Americans say if they do not like something too much. For several reasons: firstly, that people continue to die crossing the Mediterranean Sea in an attempt to reach the continent of hope, freedom and prosperity at any price, even at the price of their life. But the Summit did not decide on anything concrete and left the countries on the borderline, like Italy and Malta, alone.

Secondly, the Summit took place at the same time as the news was confirmed that the German Chancellor’s phone was monitored which excited media and public opinion. But the Summit missed the opportunity to protect the privacy of millions of European citizens whose communications are collected by the National Security Agency (NSA) and others. Read more…

Michael Creighton Confirmed Dead After Plane Crash in Laos

We are very sorry to have to announce the sad news of the death of Michael Creighton. He was the Operations Manager of our member Norwegian People’s Aid’s (NPA) programme for Mine Action in Laos. Mr Creighton died when the plane he was travelling on crashed in Laos.

Michael Creighton, 41, had been Operations Manager at NPA Mine Action program in Laos since February 2012. Creighton grew up in Glen Innes, Australia, before joining the Australian Defense Force and later the United Nations. He spent the past 20 years working on aid projects around the world, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Switzerland, Cambodia and parts of Africa. You can read more about his achievements on the You can read more about his achievements on the NPA website.

We send our condolences, solidarity and sympathy to Michael’s family and his colleagues from NPA.

International Cooperation

Monitoring Progress on Freedom of Association, Decent Work and Social Protection: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia

Last week SOLIDAR shared country reports monitoring progress on freedom of association, decent work and social protection in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia with the European Commission and the European External Action Service. These reports were developed in close cooperation with civil society organisations, trade unions, think tanks and progressive political forces from the Middle East and North Africa.

The reports highlight two important trends: firstly, that governments are putting in place measures that limit the rights of ‘actors for change’ to associate and peacefully assemble, and secondly, the steady growth of the informal economy, deficient social protection systems and a lack of decent work. Read our recommendations to counteract these trends and address these developments in the upcoming European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Film & Debate: Workers’ Rights in Pakistan

Everyday, big companies are sending products made in developing countries like Pakistan to Europe. But what is the situation of the workers in these countries? Join us on 13 November for an inspirational event and discussion with activists and filmmakers on how civil society organisations around the world can improve workers’ rights and working conditions and how cinema can be a tool to promote social justice and decent work for all.

Director Ammar Aziz, award-winning documentary filmmaker and activist based in Lahore, will introduce two of his documentary shorts, which were produced together with SOLIDAR partner in the Global Network, Labour Education Foundation, who were awarded with a SOLIDAR Silver Rose in 2011.

Social Affairs

European Semester: Concrete Actions Needed to Spur Social Progress

Last week (24-25 October), the European Council approved the Commission’s Communication on the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) calling to reinforce the monitoring of employment and social developments as part of the macroeconomic surveillance within the European Semester.

SOLIDAR welcomes the fact that the issue of reinforcing the social dimension of the EMU has been put on the agenda of the Council meeting. However, we call all the institutions involved in the policy coordination process of the European Semester to give due attention to the so-called “social dimension” in order to make progress towards social cohesion and prevent increasing inequalities and long-term exclusion. Read more…

Lifelong Learning

European Education, Training and Youth Forum

SOLIDAR took part in the European Education, Training and Youth Forum organised by the European Commission, DG Education and Culture last week. This year’s edition organised on the theme of “Working together for reforms” aimed to create a space for a dialogue between key stakeholders and policy makers on the opportunities offered by the new programme Erasmus+. Read more…

Education and Training Monitor

The European Commission has published its Education and Training Monitor 2013 composed of cross-national analysis and 28 country reports, and is the analytical basis for the next European Semester and country-specific recommendations. After its last Education Experts’ Network meeting, in the coming months, SOLIDAR will work on monitoring and evaluating Member States’ work on promoting people’s access and participation in lifelong learning, as well as strengthening the social engagement of people. Read more…

Members News

Belgium
Read Solidarité Socialiste’s latest news.

Pour la Solidarité invites you to a debate on intergenerational respect and exchange on 8 November in Brussels.

Spain
Alianza por la Solidaridad is organising an international forum on “Sharing experiences to achieve the Right to Water" in El Salvador from 12-14 November.

Partners News

Read European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning (EUCIS-LLL) news for November 2013.

The European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) invites you to the conference on Policy Coherence for Development: Making political choices! on 12 November 2013, 9h00 – 13h00.

Read the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Union’s China Labour Quarterly.

Read the European Policy Centre’s new publication on "A summit of little substance".

Read the European Trade Union Confederation’s media release on "EU Summit- Empty words on social Europe – strong words to support deregulation".

Agenda

13-14 November: SOLIDAR International Cooperation Forum, Brussels (register – for members only)
13 November: Film & debate – Workers Rights in Pakistan, Cinema Aventure, Brussels (more info)
15 November: SOLIDAR Field Visit on social and professional integration in Morocco, followed by national seminar on EU policy monitoring and cooperation, Marrakech, Morocco.
27 November: European Year for Citizens Alliance 2013 high-level event, European Parliament

SOLIDAR is a European network of 60 NGOs working to advance social justice in Europe and worldwide. SOLIDAR voices the concerns of its member organisations to the EU and international institutions across the policy sectors social affairs, international cooperation and lifelong learning. For more info www.solidar.org