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Introducing Caritas Europa Social Policy


From social work to social policies - From social policies to social justice

In the public opinion, Caritas stands for social justice, social welfare and social service. This predominant outside view is reflected inside Caritas in many ways as many European Caritas organisations come from a "charitable" tradition.

Today, the concepts of "charity" and "advocacy" match perfectly well, although each may take a different form in each country.

In answer to a heart-felt need as well as explicit requests from member organisations, Caritas Europa instituted a permanent working group, the Social Policy Commission (SPC), which over recent years, focused on poverty and social exclusion.

This commission is in charge of shaping common analysis and coordinating a common advocacy strategy. It also facilitates the identification of issues and areas in which member organisations wish to co-operate with each other. Finally, it investigates the evolution of EU policies in relevant fields and proposes and organizes appropriate actions.

     

 Main social guidelines and objectives that Caritas Europa is currently pursuing

  • Participatory Democracy and Civil Dialogue
    • Empowerment of excluded people

    • Participation of more people and bodies in the elaboration of policies

    • Raise awareness on Social issues in the churches

    • Defend and promote the rights of several categories of people such as disabled, ethnic minorities, etc.

    • Promote the value and recognition of volunteer involvement

    • Respond to social exclusion processes


  • Sustainability of Social and Health Protection Systems
    • Defence of the European Social Model

    • Provide comparable schemes

    • Sustain members in their social advocacy

    • Monitor EU policies with affect social protection

    • Re-establish the generation contract

    • Respond to social exclusion processes


  • Non-Statutory Social Welfare
    • Prevent the extension of the free market in the social field

    • Defend quality access for all to social and health services


  • Employment
    • Sustainability of unemployment benefits

    • Insertion in the work place

    • Women's access to jobs

    • Influence EU legislation and policies

    • Consider side effect of the flexible market (stress, social syndromes, etc.)


 Networking

Caritas Europa is a member of:

Caritas Europa collaborates with:

Further information

Adriana Opromolla
Social Policy Officer
Tel: +32 2 235 26 52
Cell phone: +32 478 58 54 38
aopromolla@caritas-europa.org

Natallya Kaval Kova
Staff officer for Social Policy
Tel: +32 2 235 03 97
nkavalkova@caritas-europa.org

 

 
 

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