It must spread to entire regions, industries and sectors. And a special effort is needed to mobilise the long-term unemployed, who are used to being written off and who often write themselves off. Another key issue is the changes that have occurred in family structures and in the life styles of men and women. The last 30 years have seen more and more women taking up work, becoming economically independent and taking the sort of jobs that in the past were regarded as the preserves of men. Yet we are far from achieving full equality of opportunity.
Women continue to suffer real disadvantage in employment terms.
The same applies for other disadvantaged groups, including the disabled. Today's challenges will give way in due course to tomorrow's. Technological advance constantly takes us into new territory. By 2005, there will be 9 million fewer young people of working age in the EU, and 6 million more people in their 50s and 60s. This applies both to young people entering the workforce and older workers who need to keep their skill levels in line with the rising demand.