CES/06/40
Brussels, 21 April 2006
The future of the European social model lies in social globalisation
In his speech to the European Economic and Social Committee’s April 2006 plenary session, Vladimir Špidla, the Commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, defended the European social model. He said that its future development lay in social globalisation and the European Union needed to make this a concrete objective. The Commissioner presented the Commission’s priorities in this area and discussed various issues with the members of the EESC, including the creation of a European globalisation impact fund, the challenges of demographic change and the balance between flexibility and security.
The European social model, together with questions about its future and how to defend it, were at the heart of the Commissioner’s speech and the ensuing discussion with EESC members. Europe needs to face the challenges of globalisation while preserving the common values that are the bedrock upon which it is built. For Europe is not only defined by its borders, history and culture, but also and above all by its values. If Europe is a community of values, it is the social model which is the hallmark of the European Union.
In Mr Špidla’s view, the European globalisation impact fund should provide emergency support to help workers affected by restructuring to make a new start. He welcomed the discussion with EESC members and appreciated their opinions and critiques for improving the Commission’s proposal.
One of the greatest labour-market challenges is to find the right combination of flexibility and security. The Danish concept of "flexicurity" could serve as a model, tailored to the situation in each Member State (an EESC opinion on this question is to be adopted in May). The Commission plans to hold a special social summit on the subject in the autumn.
Mr Špidla also raised other issues, relating to demographic change, the evolution of labour law and the balance between work and family life, particularly for women, a question which the Committee members then discussed with the Commissioner.
Vladimir Špidla’s speech is available on the Internet, at the following address:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/244&format=HTML&aged=0&language=FR&guiLanguage=fr (only available in French)
During the plenary session, the Committee adopted a number of key opinions:
The management of industrial change in cross-border regions following EU enlargement (exploratory opinion requested by the Austrian presidency). For further information please see press release n° 37/2006 Legal framework for consumer policy (own-initiative opinion) Nanosciences and nanotechnologies: An action plan for Europe 2005-2009 The institutional framework for inland waterway transport in Europe (own-initiative opinion) The strategic bi-regional European Union-Latin America and Caribbean partnership (information report) Strategic guidelines for cohesion policy (2007-2013) Portability of supplementary pension rights Situation of disabled people - Action Plan 2006-2007 Strategy for applying the open method of coordination to social protection
For further information, please see press release n° 38/2006
For any additional information, please contact: Karel Govaert or Christian Weger, EESC Press Office Rue Belliard 99, B-1040 Brussels Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202 Email: press@eesc.europa.eu
Website: : http://eesc.europa.eu/press/index_en.asp
The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 317 members. Its members are appointed by the Council. 
