20/02/2008: The Intergroup on Family and Protection of Childhood met yesterday under the presidency of Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou to address the topic "Family dimension in regional policy". The meeting, which gathered together the participation of representatives of the European Commission, the German Ministry for the Family and civil society associations, aimed to analyse the way in which regional policy takes into account the specific needs of families at European and national level. This issue is of particular importance considering the regional inequalities, both economic and social, and the challenges for inter-generational solidarity resulting from demographic change.
In this framework, the representative of the Commission underlined that structural funds, and in particular the ESF, contribute to the reduction of disparities between regions by promoting employment, entrepreneurship, the elimination of inequalities and the development of positive actions for families through the financing of care structures for children and dependent persons. He explained that although the implementation of EU regional policy lies with the Member States, the Commission always verifies the conformity of the National Strategic Reference Framework with the Community objectives.
The representative of the German Ministry for the Family indicated that the collaboration between municipalities, employers and civil society represents the main objective of the local alliances for the family which were created in Germany. Over 450 alliances have been set up thus contributing to the networking of actors and to the creation of a family-friendly environment, particularly in the labour market. The local alliances aim in particular at promoting conciliation, accessibility of care structures including for children under the age of 3, the responsibility of parents in the education of their children and volunteer work. Considering demographic evolution, the German Ministry for the Family also funded, with the help of the ESF, the implementation of a Multi-Generational Centres Action Programme. The programme which was launched in November 2006, enabled the creation of over 500 centres with the purpose of facilitating and promoting cooperation and mutual support between generations and help establish a local market of services.
The creation of a Local Pact for the Family is also a priority of the Christian Association of Italian Workers (ACLI). The representative of the Association explained that it has launched a vast campaign in Italian regions, with the support of the Government and local authorities, in order to create a database on best practices at European level on family policies and contribute to the signature of a family pact between public institutions and local actors. This pact, which is based on the wealth that children and families represent for economic growth, will be signed during a Conference on the 14th of March. ACLI will undertake the annual assessment of the pact.
The debate that followed the presentations was coordinated by the Vice-Chairman of the Intergroup, Mr José Ribeiro e Castro. The Chairwoman, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, recalled that the exchange of best practices between Member States represents the best way to improve the living conditions of families in the long term. She wished for these exchanges to be increased not only in the framework of the European Alliance for the Family but also at national level, taking the example of the "New Neighbour" project which was launched by 6 Member States and dealt with the conciliation of family and professional life in European rural areas.
In this framework, the representative of the Commission underlined that structural funds, and in particular the ESF, contribute to the reduction of disparities between regions by promoting employment, entrepreneurship, the elimination of inequalities and the development of positive actions for families through the financing of care structures for children and dependent persons. He explained that although the implementation of EU regional policy lies with the Member States, the Commission always verifies the conformity of the National Strategic Reference Framework with the Community objectives.
The representative of the German Ministry for the Family indicated that the collaboration between municipalities, employers and civil society represents the main objective of the local alliances for the family which were created in Germany. Over 450 alliances have been set up thus contributing to the networking of actors and to the creation of a family-friendly environment, particularly in the labour market. The local alliances aim in particular at promoting conciliation, accessibility of care structures including for children under the age of 3, the responsibility of parents in the education of their children and volunteer work. Considering demographic evolution, the German Ministry for the Family also funded, with the help of the ESF, the implementation of a Multi-Generational Centres Action Programme. The programme which was launched in November 2006, enabled the creation of over 500 centres with the purpose of facilitating and promoting cooperation and mutual support between generations and help establish a local market of services.
The creation of a Local Pact for the Family is also a priority of the Christian Association of Italian Workers (ACLI). The representative of the Association explained that it has launched a vast campaign in Italian regions, with the support of the Government and local authorities, in order to create a database on best practices at European level on family policies and contribute to the signature of a family pact between public institutions and local actors. This pact, which is based on the wealth that children and families represent for economic growth, will be signed during a Conference on the 14th of March. ACLI will undertake the annual assessment of the pact.
The debate that followed the presentations was coordinated by the Vice-Chairman of the Intergroup, Mr José Ribeiro e Castro. The Chairwoman, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, recalled that the exchange of best practices between Member States represents the best way to improve the living conditions of families in the long term. She wished for these exchanges to be increased not only in the framework of the European Alliance for the Family but also at national level, taking the example of the "New Neighbour" project which was launched by 6 Member States and dealt with the conciliation of family and professional life in European rural areas.
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