Conference Summary 'Do Social Services Matter for EU?'
by Vera NYGARD
Do Social Services Matter for ‘EU’?
Considerations for The Salvation Army:
-The Salvation Army should seek to develop strategies and methods to work alongside the marginalised to enable access to social rights through mutual learning and developing relevant partnerships.
On the 21st of January 2020 an event took place in the European Parliament whose very title made a provocative statement: ‘Do social services matter for YOU?’ This event, hosted by Pierfrancesco Majorino (MEP Group of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament) sought to examine the ways in which the provision of social services could be improved at a time of great transition in Europe- the implementation of a new MFF, the formation of a new Commission, and the desire to shift to policies that are more ‘green’. To kick off this event, MEP Majorino asked another provocative question: ‘What can we do for this sector?’ Freek Spinnewijn (President of Social Services Europe) added on to this question, reflecting as to whether or not sufficient progress has been made thus far to ensure that social services are used to their fullest potential.
‘Without social services, it is very difficult for an individual to enjoy human rights.’
These words, spoken by Luk Zelderloo (Secretary General of EASPD), outlined the vital importance of the effective provision of social services, especially for groups that are already vulnerable. This statement led into the presentation of research by Chiara Crepaldi (Research Coordinator, Insituto per Ricerca Sociale), which exhibited current gaps in the labour market and illustrated the ways in which asylum-seekers and refugees could help fill those gaps. Crepaldi emphasised the importance of coordinated and accessible social services in order to for this happen, which would not only serve as job creators themselves but could ensure integration into the labour market by helping to remove obstacles such as language barriers and lack of information. Such an investment would also help reduce instances of labour exploitation and human trafficking, since assisting with integration into the labour market would help workers from non-EU countries obtain jobs that match their skillsets and therefore diminish the need to work in unstable or exploitative situations in order to make ends meet.
A Worthy Investment
The boosting of the social service sector is undoubtedly a major investment on behalf of the European Union, but it is an investment that will pay off in the long run and one that will contribute to the formation of an inclusive society. Jiri Svarc (Head of Unit at DG EMPL, Social Investment Strategy) emphasised that an inclusive society not only entails integration assistance for refugees and asylum seekers but also for populations and communities who have resided in Europe for generations. MEP Dragos Pîslaru (Renew Europe) built upon this statement by pointing out that there are populations that are effectively ‘invisible’ in Europe, like Roma communities. In order to address the vulnerabilities that render such groups ‘invisible’, bottlenecks in social services must be worked through and the bureaucracy that inhibits the effective provision of services must be tackled. There should also be an improvement in the transparency of institutions as well as the enhancement of funding sources in order to reduce fragmentation. ‘If these steps are taken, they could be a game-changer for the next period’, MEP Pîslaru concluded, ‘We have the opportunity to clarify what it means to care for the most vulnerable in a ‘just’ transition.’
Tags: Europe