European Pillar of Social Rights: The Role of Churches and Religions
Last Updated: 28 June 2018
by Giacomo MANCA
On Tuesday 26th of June, the Salvation Army participated in the event “Implementing the European Social Pillar”, The Role of Churches and Religions. The event was held in the framework of the Article 17 of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU, which sets the basis for a transparent and regular dialogue between the EU institutions and churches, religious associations, and philosophical and non-confessional organisations, and developed into two panels aiming at discussing the European Pillar of Social Rights, which sets 20 principles and rights supporting the renewal of labour markets and welfare systems across the EU.
The dialogue was hosted and organised by the vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness, who emphasised the unique importance of churches and other religious communities in responding to these challenges, and defending human dignity and contributing to public policy debates, and was attended by the President Antonio Tajani.
Contributions to the dialogue seminar stressed the importance of the social dimension for Europe’s future. Luca Jahier, president of the European Economic and Social Committee, noted that a full one-third of what is written in EU treaties deals directly with social issues. “Social justice is an inspiration coming from people of all faiths”, he declared, , and an economic and social imperative that we all share. If there is no solidarity there is no social cohesion and no competitiveness, no sustainable growth in Europe.
The Salvation Army was represented in the round table by the International Secretary for Programme Resources Birgitte Brekke-Clifton, former International Secretary for the Europe Zone. The Commissioner started her speech by describing the situation of hard destitution of a Roma little girl, recently met. With this vivid picture in her mind, she asked the audience the question: “will the European Pillar of Social Rights provide a step to improve the living condition of poor, marginalised children in the poorest regions of Europe?” “I hope so, she continued”. During her speech, she praised the EU for aiming at upholding social standards across the continent through this EU-wide document declaring a number of having set and declared a number of social rights to European citizens, recognising the importance for a convergence towards higher levels of social rights among the EU.
She also called on the European Parliament to work for ensuring adequate EU funding to Social Inclusion, in the next EU budget, as the best way to concrete implement the Social Pillar. and synchronise its evaluation with the international Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, she criticised the lack of mention to undeclared migrants and asylum seekers in the document, and affirmed how the Salvation Army is committed to caring for and representing the rights of the destitute, regardless of their status and papers.
Other Religious leaders intervened, speaking about rights and respect of workers and the perspectives of Social Rights enshrined in their religious doctrines. Metropolitan Ignatios of Demetrias and Almyros (Church of Greece) reflected theologically on the need for dignified working and living conditions for all. He stressed that this is a collective, rather than individual concern. “To fight for your daily bread, that is a practical problem. To fight for you the daily bread for your neighbour, that is a spiritual problem.”
Riccardo Di Segni, chief Rabbi of Rome, commented the issue tellinghow much, throughout history and since the very beginning, Social Inclusion is part of the Jewish traditions, and rooted principles: “this is an intrinsic issue developed since the origins and enshrined in the bible: protection of weaker people is a duty in Jewish communities”.
“The European Pillar should be seen as a beginning, not an end,” noted Heather Roy, Secretary General of Eurodiaconia, “There are many things that still need to be developed, especially at the national level, because this is where we will see success. We must defend against any watering down the pillar, especially as we may see a change in the European Parliament following next year’s elections.”
The European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed and signed by the European institutions in November 2017. To read more about it, check the briefing that the EU Affairs Office of the Salvation Army has prepared.
To check the report from the Conference of European Churches, click here
Tags: Europe