Social Inclusion

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The following essay has been written by an EU Tests user. Our experts have given some constructive feedback which may be useful for anyone preparing for the written exam of the EU competition. ******* Social inclusion in the new Member States and future enlargement

In the wake of the 2004 enlargement and the recent accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU, new challenges are facing our society in terms of social inclusion and cohesion. The European employment and social policy is the main instrument that ensures the creation of an inclusive and cohesive society. At the 2000 Lisbon European Council, the EU leaders set the Union the objective of becoming “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable growth, with more and better jobs and social cohesion”.

1. The European employment and social policy This policy is central to the Lisbon agenda because it addresses its priorities of competitiveness, growth and employment. While acknowledging the importance of strong competition between companies which generates economic development, the EU also place great emphasis on strong solidarity between its citizens. The objectives of the Lisbon strategy are mutually reinforceable in the way that strong economic growth generates more jobs and these, in turn, contribute to sustainable development and fighting poverty thus creating a more inclusive society. The two pillars of the employment and social policy are the European Employment Strategy and the Social Agenda.

2. The Social Agenda It covers the period 2005-2010 and has two main objectives: prosperity (more and better jobs) and solidarity (equal opportunities for all) and acquires an even greater importance this year given the fact that 2007 is the Year of Equal Opportunities for All.

Prosperity

Comment [A1]: Good intro

Comment [A2]: A few words about the Lisbons Agenda, its re-launch and some programmes in this field would have been useful Comment [A3]: Grammar Comment [A4]: Spelling

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Under this objective, the EU takes action to implement policies aiming at full employment. To do so, it has to adopt measures to:    

attract more people to and retain them into the labour market by means of dissuading them to retire prematurely reform the social security systems and pension schemes in order to make them financially viable encourage developing of workers’ skills through lifelong learning programmes better reconciliate professional and private life.

Solidarity The EU is determined to fight poverty and combat discrimination in all its forms. In doing this, is is implementing the principle of equal treatment.

Comment [A5]: A short explanation of each measure would have been useful below

Comment [A6]: Avoid

The base for combating gender discrimination was enshrined in the Treaty of Rome in an article providing for equal pay for men and women for equal work or work of equal value. It also prohibited discrimination against workers from another Member State on the base nationality. One of the fundamental rights in any modern democracy is the equality between men and women. Women have the same rights as men as regards access to the labour market, education and training, career development prospects. Wording of job advertisements must be gender neutral. Men also can benefit from gender equality policy since they are entitled to parental leave when a child is born.

3. Combating discrimination The EU is actively combating discrimination based on gender, ethnic or racial origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation. Fighting discrimination and poverty is also a way of promoting social inclusion and creating a more cohesive society. Social protection systems contribute to the creation of a stable society where every citizen can benefit form a safety net but at the same time makes it financially more attractive to work. They also ensure health care in case of illness and income after retirement. All the EU Member States are facing the demographic challenge of an ageing population. The number of elderly people will increase sharply over the next decades, thus jeopardising the financial basis of the social security systems and pension schemes. The EU is discussing together with the Member States’ governments and all the interested social partners ways of modernising the European social model so as to ensure financially viable and sustainable pension schemes.

Comment [A7]: Spelling

Comment [A8]: Some data, facts and/or numbers would have reinforced the message in a very efficient way, to underline the statements and reflect to the EU’s role in the process

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In conclusion, new challenges are facing the Union after the 2004 and 2007 enlargements in terms of social inclusion and cohesion. They derive mainly from the fact that the new Member States have per capita income lower than the EU average. This mean that the EU has to combat poverty leading to social exclusion and to deal with the reform of its social security systems.

Comment [A9]: Grammar Comment [A10]: A bit too simplified, a more general overview of the EU’s efforts in this area would have been more useful as a conclusion Comment [A11]: A good essay that could be improved significantly with more attention to the grammar/spelling/layout, along with adding some data and fact to corroborate the arguments herein