15/11/2007: A report on two European Commission Communications on social cohesion and social reality stocktaking in the EU was discussed during this month's plenary session of the EP. The report includes all fields of action of the Open Method of Co-ordination relating to social policy which are included in the relevant National Action Plans.
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, intervening on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, mentioned that the social reality stocktaking which the European Commission intends to carry out should give directions to Member States and bear in mind that today's Europe is facing serious demographic challenges that have an impact on social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity.
The MEP added: "Member States continue not to support families although they are the foundation of society. The poverty of families, especially of lone parents and large families, is increasing due to the lack not just of income but also of social support and equal treatment in taxation. Living conditions of families have an immediate impact on children. Child poverty, to which the report is referring to, increases the unequal access of children to funds and opportunities. Child poverty reduces the personal development of children as well as the future economic growth and social cohesion of Europe."
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou repeated in the Plenary her proposal for the provision of a minimum income for every child that is born in the EU according to the gross per capita income of the state in which it is living in order to ensure its upbringing.
In addition, the MEP underlined that the policy for the promotion of social cohesion should not be based just on the participation in the labour market and the evaluation of economic indicators, but should also address the inactive as well as those who offer informal services within the family. More specifically, the MEP emphasised the need to grant pension and insurance rights to informal care givers and to recognise the skills that have been acquired during caring activities for children and the elderly.
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou also stated: "The preservation of social cohesion requires the promotion of mutual assistance between the generations and the valorisation of the knowledge and the experience of the elderly and their transmission to younger generations. The investment in volunteering initiatives of educational, cultural or business nature as well as the creation of the proper infrastructure for the participation of the elderly in such activities will help avoid their marginalisation and their potential social exclusion."
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP, intervening on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, mentioned that the social reality stocktaking which the European Commission intends to carry out should give directions to Member States and bear in mind that today's Europe is facing serious demographic challenges that have an impact on social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity.
The MEP added: "Member States continue not to support families although they are the foundation of society. The poverty of families, especially of lone parents and large families, is increasing due to the lack not just of income but also of social support and equal treatment in taxation. Living conditions of families have an immediate impact on children. Child poverty, to which the report is referring to, increases the unequal access of children to funds and opportunities. Child poverty reduces the personal development of children as well as the future economic growth and social cohesion of Europe."
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou repeated in the Plenary her proposal for the provision of a minimum income for every child that is born in the EU according to the gross per capita income of the state in which it is living in order to ensure its upbringing.
In addition, the MEP underlined that the policy for the promotion of social cohesion should not be based just on the participation in the labour market and the evaluation of economic indicators, but should also address the inactive as well as those who offer informal services within the family. More specifically, the MEP emphasised the need to grant pension and insurance rights to informal care givers and to recognise the skills that have been acquired during caring activities for children and the elderly.
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou also stated: "The preservation of social cohesion requires the promotion of mutual assistance between the generations and the valorisation of the knowledge and the experience of the elderly and their transmission to younger generations. The investment in volunteering initiatives of educational, cultural or business nature as well as the creation of the proper infrastructure for the participation of the elderly in such activities will help avoid their marginalisation and their potential social exclusion."
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
E-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
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