Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Taking stock of the reality of European society today
Date: 2007-01-18
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: European social policy, social analysis, social change, social indicator, socioeconomic conditions

27.4.2007

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Taking stock of the reality of Euro-
pean society today

(2007/C 93/11)

On 5 October 2006, the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee,
under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on Taking stock of the reality of Euro-
pean society today

The Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, which was responsible for preparing the
Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 19 December 2006. The rapporteur was
Mr Olsson.

At its 432nd plenary session, held on 17 and 18 January 2007 (meeting of 18 January 2007), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 153 votes to 3 with 6 abstentions.

1. Introduction

1.1
In June 2006 the European Council stressed the impor-
tance of bringing the social dimension closer to citizens and
welcomed the European Commissions intention to take stock of
the social realities in the EU. The Council invited the Commis-
sion to issue an interim report before the spring summit in
2007 (1).

Against

1.2
this background the European Commission
asked the EESC for an exploratory opinion on how to ‘take
stock of the reality of European society and launch an agenda
for access and solidarity, a social dimension in parallel and close
coordination with the single market review.’ (2) This opinion
covers the first aspect. Another EESC opinion reviews the
advancement of the single market.

1.3
The Commission believes ‘it is necessary that European
solidarity policies and programmes must promote a higher
quality of life, social cohesion and increase opportunities for the
Unions citizens working with the national, regional and other
authorities on the ground as well as with the social partners,
promoting social dialogue and engaging civil society’ (3). The
stock-taking will examine the major factors driving social trans-
formation and also serve as a basis for European policy-making
into the next decade in view of building a new consensus on the
social challenges facing Europe (4).

1.4
The initiative reflects a renewed interest in social issues
at highest level in the aftermath of the no-votes in the referenda
in France and the Netherlands. The UK Presidency invited
Member States to a special summit (Hampton Court) dedicated
to the European social model in October 2005. The German
and Austrian Chancellors have proposed to include a ‘social
chapter’ in a reformulated constitutional treaty.

(1) European Council June 2006 point 21.
(2) Letter from the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mrs Wall-

ström of 5 October 2006.

(3) See letter ibid and COM(2006) 211final. A Citizens Agenda for Europe

Page 4-5.

(4) See EU Commission work programme COM(2006) 629 final.

1.5
The EESC appreciates the intentions of the Commission.
It notes that stock-taking the reality of European society is a
broader approach than just reviewing social issues in the tradi-
tional sense. The stock-taking can be an important tool to bring
the EU closer to citizens and to answer their expectations of
what European policies should deliver. The initiative can also be
seen as a way to strike a balance between the social and
economic dimension of the EU.

The EESC underlines that

the idea of a stock-taking
1.6
process must be precise in its aims and how it is to be pursued
over time. In order to be worthwhile and not only remain an
academic exercise,
it must also bring value added to, and be
coherent with, other EU policies, actions and debates that tackle
social realities. The stock-taking must therefore have a clear rela-
tion to the Lisbon strategy and the social agenda, and it must
assess the instruments of EU social policy and their implementa-
tion. The stock-taking must also be given sufficient time really
to involve organised civil society at all levels.

1.7
This opinion is a first contribution of the Committee and
will be followed up by other activities during the stocktaking
process.

2. General remarks

The realities of European society are already well char-
2.1
tered by scholars, institutions and organisations (5). They have
also been taken stock of in various EESC opinions to serve as a
basis for conclusions and recommendations.

The positive aspects of economic and social development in
Europe that are the major factors behind present social realities
life,
must be emphasised: a worldwide recognised quality of
increasing longevity, new economic opportunities, social mobi-
lity, better working conditions and high levels of education and
social welfare. The ‘Trente Glorieuses’ within a context of full

(5) The Bureau of European Policy Advisers — EU Commission ‘think

tank’ — will soon publish a document to serve as a background.

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and

social protection cover
employment
favoured the construction of a relatively homogeneous welfare
state in Europe underpinning economic growth.

comprehensive

2.2
The EESC strongly believes that those positive aspects are
closely linked to a mutually reinforcing blend of economic
policy, employment and social policy. The EESC underlines that
social policy should be regarded as a productive factor.

2.3
However, as over the last decades, European society is
facing deep social changes: employment and the labour market
are undergoing major transformations which will lead to rapidly
changing social realities for working people. Europe is facing
unprecedented demographic change. The reasons for the falling
birth rate must be highlighted and analysed. Experience from
some Member States shows that a properly designed family
policy that reconciles family and working life, with comprehen-
sive and well-managed childcare and measures to bring more
women into employment, could result in a higher birth rate.
Also immigration will be an ever more important component
of stemming the downward population trend.
Integration of
immigrants and ethnic minorities is an important challenge.

The socio-economic changes reflected in the transition to
2.4
a global, post-industrial and ageing society have created new
opportunities, but also new social risks. Larger layers of the
population than before will be affected. The capacity of the
welfare state to guarantee the well-being of all
its citizens
through adequate and sustainable employment and social
protection policies is being undermined. Poverty persists, with
the risk of long term social exclusion and lack of job security,
primarily affecting women, immigrants, young people and the
unskilled. This poverty is on the increase in certain areas where
unemployment
levels remain high. Rapid transition to the
knowledge economy makes skills obsolete and professional
careers less stable. Flexibility has to be coupled with new forms
of social protection as well as active employment and life long
learning policies, in order to counteract any lack of job security
that might come with it.

2.5
New family structures, life style, cultural patterns demo-
graphic change, urban concentration, increasing mobility, easier
access to information, patterns of consumption and individual
behaviour are also factors transforming society, and environ-
mental and climatic changes will very soon greatly affect citizens
and society. Public opinion and attitudes must also be taken
into consideration.

2.6
The overall economic and social progress in Europe
often conceals the diversity and inequality of existing social
it is the
realities at all

in the final analysis,

levels. However,

social reality on the ground and the quality of life of each indivi-
dual person that count. Stocktaking of social realities must
therefore start at the base level of society.

2.7
Diversity has increased significantly by the latest two
enlargements. Each earlier enlargement made the European
Union tackle social realities in order to pave the way for a
smoother accession process. Many EU priority social policies
can be seen in that context, for instance social security for
migrant workers, social cohesion, social dialogue, employment
policy and gender equality.

Enlargement involves major challenges for EU cohesion as well
as for the achievement of some of the Lisbon goals, particularly
in the area of social and employment policy. The Kok Report on
the mid-term review of Lisbon warns that enlargement leads to
tensions within the EU, which ‘will increase further unless there
is some prospect of convergence’. The emphasis of integration
policy in the years ahead must be placed once more on the
social strengthening of
the EU needs,
among other things, basic macro-economic conditions that are
geared to promoting growth and jobs.

the Union. For this,

The EESC notes the persistence of wide economic and social
disparities between Member States. It believes that enlargement
must not be perceived as a risk for downgrading the social
dimension, but rather that, if accompanied by a more focused
EU economic policy,
it could be an opportunity to improve
living and working conditions not only in the new Member
States but all over Europe.

Stocktaking can be seen as an important step in fleshing
2.8
out the contents of a European social model for the future on
the basis suggested in a recently adopted EESC opinion (6): a
dynamic model, responsive to new challenges and providing an
idea of a democratic, environment-friendly, competitive, soli-
darity-based and socially inclusive welfare area for all citizens.

3. Specific remarks

3.1
As stated above, the Committee has taken stock of reali-
ties in European society in almost all societal fields not only
responding to ordinary Commission referrals but also through
own initiatives and exploratory opinions.

3.2
Recent EESC opinions cover for instance; citizenship,
employment, working conditions, life long learning, social and
territorial cohesion, social protection, social exclusion, persons
with a disability, gender issues, youth, children's rights, ageing,
immigration and integration, environment and sustainable

(6) See the EESC opinion of 6.7.2006 on the ‘Social cohesion: fleshing out
a European social model’, rapporteur: Mr Ehnmark, OJ C 309,
16.12.2006.

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development, food safety and consumer protection, communica-
tions and transport, tourism services of general interest, public
health, obesity and the social consequences of climate change as
well as the more comprehensive Lisbon strategy.

4. A new consensus on the social challenges facing Europe

— some outlines

The necessary involvement of organised civil society

Some of the exploratory opinions and own initiatives drawn-up
over the last period are very pertinent to the stock-taking (7).
There is also on-going work on opinions which will feed into
the process.

3.3
In order to assess specific and overall social realities, as
well as to measure the efficiency of its policy measures the EU
must have at its disposal indicators that provide a sufficiently
to develop ‘welfare
detailed and accurate picture.
performance’, benchmarks and more reliable and qualitative
indicators have been suggested by the EESC (8) and should be
part of the stocktaking process. The EESC reiterates its call for
stakeholders to be invited to take part in formulating and evalu-
ating indicators (9).

In order

3.4
The EESC notes the lack of labour market and migration
statistics, as well as the need for a more comprehensive data
from a gender and poverty perspective. The EESC therefore
proposes that Eurostat should be given the task and resources
to develop such statistics that accurately reflect the social trends
in society, supplemented by the Dublin Foundation for a more
qualitative analysis.

(7) See the following EESC opinions:

— 29.9.2005 on ‘Poverty among women in Europe’, rapporteur Ms

King (OJ C 24, 31.1.2006).

— 16.12.2004 on ‘Relations between the generations’, rapporteur

Mr Bloch-Lainé (OJ C 157, 28.6.2005).

— 13.9.2006 on ‘Immigration in the EU and integration policies:
cooperation between regional and local governments and civil
society organisations’, rapporteur Mr Pariza Castaños, OJ C 318,
23.12.2006.

— 13.9.2006 on ‘Civil society participation in the fight against
organised
rapporteurs
Mr Rodríguez García-Caro, Mr Pariza Castaños, Mr Cabra de
Luna, OJ C 318, 23.12.2006.

terrorism’,

crime

and

— 14.9.2006 on ‘Making European citizenship visible and effective’,

rapporteur Mr Vever, OJ C 318, 23.12.2006

— 9.2.2005 on ‘Employment policy: the role of the EESC following
the enlargement of the EU and from the point of view of the
Lisbon Process’, rapporteur Mr Greif (OJ C 221, 8.9.2005).

— 7.6.2004 on ‘Industrial change and economic, social and terri-
rapporteur Mr Leirião and co-rapporteur

cohesion’,

torial
Mr Cué.

— 14.7.2005 on ‘The scope and effects of company relocations’,
and co-rapporteur:

rapporteur: Mr Rodríguez García-Caro,
Mr Nusser, OJ C 294, 25.11.2005.

— 17.5.2006 on ‘Flexicurity: the case of Denmark’, rapporteur: Ms

Vium, OJ C 195, 18.8.2000.

— 31.3.2004 on ‘The social dimension of culture’, rapporteur: Mr

Le Scornet (OJ C 112, 30.4.2004).

— 16.3.2006 on ‘Domestic violence against women’, rapporteur:

Ms Heinisch (OJ C 110, 9.5.2006).

— 14.9.2006 on ‘Meeting the challenges of climate change — The
rapporteur: Mr Ehnmark, OJ C 318,

role of civil society’,
23.12.2006.

4.1
The EESC underlines that a stocktaking of the social reali-
ties with a view to building a new consensus must be based
upon a process that involves organised civil society at all levels
in a bottom-up approach. The stocktaking process must be
given sufficient time to really reach citizens and their organisa-
tions. Otherwise there is a risk it will only be a superficial
consultation at high level among experts.

4.2
As stocktaking of social realities has to be done at the
lowest echelon, there is an important role for the social partners
and other concerned actors, along with local authorities, to
identify and articulate emerging societal needs and problems.
The shared experience can be used to mobilise enterprises and
citizens for local actions, and will also serve a more systematic
stocktaking that will take place at national and European level.

4.3
In order to promote a bottom-up approach and appro-
priate ‘methods’, the EESC believes that the EU Commission
should financially support the organisation of stocktaking at
national and regional
level and give logistic help in order to
have the stocktaking process take off. It is also important to
develop new methods and transfer good practice on how to
involve all stakeholders.

4.4
A bottom up approach of stocktaking the social realities
must be defined by the participants themselves. There can be no
restrictions in the debate. However, in line with the Commis-
sion,
themes
the EESC recommends that some transversal
should be considered such an equal opportunity and non-discri-
mination, social rights and access to services of general interest,
as well as the links between the economic and social dimen-
sions (10).

4.5
National governments must take the process seriously
and let the stocktaking and its conclusions feed into the national
reform programmes of the Lisbon strategy and other policies.

4.6
The EESC can play an active role both at national and
European level through the members and the organisations it
represents. Economic and Social Councils in countries where
they exist, or other similar bodies, should also be mobilised.

4.7
At European level the EESC can organise a stakeholders'
forum in cooperation with the Commission, both at the start of
the process to set up a roadmap of actions, as well as a follow
up as the process draws to an end. The Committee proposes to
associate the Liaison Group (11) to its activities in this field.

(8) See the EESC opinion of 13.7.2005 on the ‘Communication from the
Commission on the Social Agenda’, rapporteur: Ms Engelen-Kefer (OJ C
294, 25.11.2005).

(9) See the EESC opinion on Social Indicators (own-initiative Opinion),

Rapporteur: Ms Giacomina Cassina (OJ C221, 19.9.2002).

(10) The stocktaking process will take place during 2007, the European

Year for Equal Opportunities.

(11) The Liaison Group with European civil society organisations and
networks is both a liaison body and a structure for political dialogue
between the EESC and these organisations and networks.

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5. A new social action programme

take place without

The stocktaking cannot

5.1
simulta-
neously addressing the different methods and instruments of EU
social policy and their efficiency in meeting the new social chal-
lenges. The right balance has to be found between the demarca-
tion and complementarity of competence between the EU and
Member States and the use of European legislative actions and
the Open Method of Coordination (OMC). At the same time,
implementation of existing acquis communautaire is necessary.

5.2
Current EU instruments should be analysed in order to
determine their efficiency, also against the background scenario
of eroding EU social policies and social acquis. The Finnish
Presidency organised in November 2006, a conference on the
theme ‘The Europeanisation of social protection’, where one of
the conclusions was that the European dimension of social
policy should be further developed, and include better use of
the OMC.

There are question marks about the efficiency of the
5.3
OMC, as there is no real commitment by many governments.
Through the stocktaking process ways of strengthening the
OMC must be analysed in order for it to play a decisive role in
achieving the goals of the Lisbon strategy.

5.4
Diversity and national priorities limit the scope for social
legislation at the EU level. However findings of the stocktaking
process must be assessed against
initiating,
amending or simplifying legislation. Pertinent key legislative
actions may be necessary when excessive differences hinder
economic performance and become a source of strained rela-
tions between Member States.

the need for

5.5
The EESC underlines the specific and important role of
the social dialogue at all levels both in stocktaking social realities
and in taking initiatives to find common solutions to the chal-
lenges encountered. At European level the social dialogue based
in the Treaty should be fully exploited. The Committee supports
the three year programme of the European social partners and
notes with satisfaction that the EU underpins the social dialogue
in the new Member States.

Brussels, 18 January 2007.

Participation of other representative civil society organi-
5.6
sations in policy shaping should be reinforced. These organisa-
tions are active in all societal fields and at all levels in order to
give voice to citizens and to mobilise them for collective action
to improve living conditions. Their role both in stocktaking and
governance of the social policies should be recognised. Further-
more the role of the social economy to organise production and
services in a way that respond to the needs of citizens and to
improve their living conditions must be better promoted.

5.7 When summarising the stocktaking process the EESC
suggests that the European Commission should organise a ‘citi-
zens summit’ on social realities with representation from all
stakeholders. The Commission has a decisive role in identifying
those social realities that are best addressed at the EU level.
Organised civil society, national parliaments and regional autho-
rities should be invited to formulate their own proposals. As a
follow up the EESC suggests that a second special European
Council dedicated to the European social model be organised
(Hampton Court 2).

5.8
In order to build the basis of a new consensus on social
challenges facing Europe, a new ‘social action programme’ may
be outlined, taking into account both economic realities and
social expectations. The Committee would point out that the
introduction of the ‘1992’ single market strategy in the 1980's
was accompanied by such a programme and the Commission is
now asking for a ‘social dimension in parallel and close coordi-
nation with the single market review’.

5.9
The programme would necessarily be based on shared
values, on a strong affirmation of the link between social and
economic progress and on a (re)definition of the common bond
of European society binding together both citizens and Member
States creating a high level of social capital. It would be accom-
panied by a precise and concrete agenda putting together the
different actors, reflecting about the efficient use of current EU-
instruments, being able to address social needs and expectations
both at the EU and national level, in the context of globalisation
and within the broader frame of European social acquis.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS