Tackling Unemployment in the EU through Social Inclusion and Training Programmes

One of the European Commission’s main stated aims is to develop a competitive and world-class workforce – this requires effective training and the development of demand and market driven skills and mechanisms. However, a key barrier to tackling unemployment and promoting employability is the high levels of social exclusion of various groups within society from education, skills training and, inevitably, the labour market.

According to the latest EU statistics, 16% of European citizens were at high risk of poverty in 2006. Despite some progress over the years in labour markets, 9.3% of working age adults still live in jobless households and 8% of the employed live below the poverty line. The employment rate of older workers reached 45% in 2007 against 37% in 2001. More recently, with the globalised world stranded in a financial crisis, workers as well as enterprises are facing mutual challenges and changes in working patterns.

There are root causes which can be identified and tackled through long term employment strategies, social cohesion and more effective training systems at national and local levels. These processes could lead to an increase in employability across Europe but requires the engagement of all governance structures and stakeholders at regional, national and local levels in Europe.

This special International Symposium provides a timely opportunity for stakeholders across the EU to discuss the root causes behind current unemployment trends, exchange best practices and consider mechanisms for overcoming existing employment gaps in the labour market. The Symposium will also facilitate mind mapping for comprehensive EU and national action plans for promoting social inclusion, better access to education and training and examine their contribution towards building a sustainable lifestyle model for European Citizens.

The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme

9:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:15 Panel Session One: Boosting Sustainable Employment through Effective Labour Market Strategies
  • Latent and Social Effects on Unemployment across Europe
  • Permanent Exclusion from the Labour Market
  • Results Heterogeneity from the Existing Recovery Mechanisms
  • Short Term Work Schemes as a Flexible Tool
Speakers:
Mr. Egbert Holthuis, Deputy Head of Unit, European Employment Strategy, CSR, Local Development Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, European Commission (confirmed)
Prof. Adrian Sinfield PhD, Professor Emeritus in Social Policy, University of Edinburgh, UK (confirmed)
Mr. John Halloran, Director, European Social Network (confirmed)
11:20 Morning Coffee Break
11:45 First Round of Discussions
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 Panel Session Two: Reducing Unemployment through Social Creativity, Cohesion and Innovation
  • Tackling Social Exclusion: Employment Strategies and Social Economic Initiatives – Comparative Perspectives
  • Promoting ‘Bottom-Up’ Creativity and Social Innovation
  • Potential benefits of the social economy for disadvantaged groups
  • Lessons Learned from EU Regional Initiatives
Speakers:
Mr. Michele Calandrino, Policy Analyst – Social Policy, DG EMPL, European Commission (confirmed)
Prof. Ides Nicaise, University of Leuven (confirmed)
14:25 Second Round of Discussions
14:45 Short Break
15:00 Session Three: Moving Towards Knowledge and Skills Based Employment – Developing Training Systems in the EU
  • European Approaches to Identifying Skill and Training Needs
  • Skills Based Approaches in Tackling Employment Issues
  • Current Supply and Demand in Europe Labour Markets
  • Improving Labour Market Policies to Enhance the Skills of Workers
Speaker:
Ms. Lucie, Davoine, Policy Officer - Research in the Economic Aspects of Education and Training, Including Animation of the EENEE Expert Network, Lifelong Learning: Contribution to the Lisbon Process, European Commission (confirmed)
15:20 Third Round of Discussions
15:45 Chair's Summary and Closing Remarks
15:55 Networking Reception and Refreshments
17:00 Symposium Close
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Tuesday 23th February 2010
The Renaissance Hotel, Brussels


Register your place

“The action we propose is centred on the three priorities of:
- maintaining employment, creating jobs and promoting mobility;
- upgrading skills and matching labour market needs;
- and increasing access to employment.”
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President, European Commission
“Through the EU Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process, the European Union coordinates and encourages Member State actions to combat poverty and social exclusion, and to reform their social protection systems on the basis of policy exchanges and mutual learning. As such, it underpins the achievement of the Union’s strategic goal of sustained economic growth, more and better jobs, and greater social cohesion by 2010.”
The EU Social Protection and Social Inclusion Process
“We propose a shared commitment by Member States, the EU and the social partners - to reduce job losses, and help millions of people to find new and better jobs. Europe took swift action to respond to the financial and economic crisis. When the history books are written, I believe this could be seen to have saved millions of jobs. Member States have made huge efforts and big progress in coordinating their action to inject credibility in the financial markets and confidence in the real economy. We must now show the same determination when tackling unemployment”
José Manuel Durão Barroso, President, European Commission, June 2009
“Employment is one of the major challenges facing Europe and has been the main source of concern for Europeans for far too many years. The polls show that our fellow citizens still consider employment as a major priority. Furthermore, employment remains a priority in our society because unemployment today affects all age groups in the active population. Employment lies at the heart of the Lisbon strategy, particularly with the European employment strategy which was launched nearly 10 years ago. It is the central pillar of our ambition to make the European Union the most developed region in the world.”
Vladimír Špidla, European Commission Member with responsibility for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, September 2008