economic, social and political citizenship: a coherent whole by david kerr from the citizenship...
DESCRIPTION
A presentation from the European Year of Citizens 2013 launch event discussing economic, social and political citizenship. The presentation was given by David Kerr from the Citizenship foundation. Find out more about the NCVO's European policy work: http://europeanfundingnetwork.euTRANSCRIPT
Economic, Social and Political Citizenship: A
Coherent Whole
Working Group 2
European Year Citizens Alliance(EYCA 2013)
David Kerr
Citizenship Foundation
Director of Educational
Programmes
Visiting Professor of Citizenship
Birkbeck College
University of [email protected]
WG2 – Economic, Social, Political Citizenship: A Coherent Whole
Three Topics of focus:
1.Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy
2.Active inclusion and social rights
3.Non discrimination/equal treatment
Topic 1: Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy
Sub-topics:
a.Social provisions of Lisbon-Treaty and Europe 2020 Strategy
b.Review on employment and social developments in Europe
c.New Social Pact in Europed.Obstacles towards mobility
Topic 2: Active inclusion and social rights
Sub-topics:a.Social and public servicesb.Minimum income schemesc.Social rightsd.Investment in formal, non-formal and
informal education and training for lifee.Empowerment of excluded people
Topic 3: Non discrimination/ equal treatment
Sub-topics:
a.Fundamental rights and Anti-Discrimination
b.Right to associate and Active Social Citizenship
c.Participatory democracy for social change
WG2 - Workplan Three face to face meetings – one per theme
1.March 2013 – Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy
2.July 2013 – Active inclusion and social rights
3.Sept 2013 – Non discrimination/ equal treatment
Recommendations produced Oct 2013
WG2 – Proposed UK Contribution At each face to face meeting contribute on:
1.Obstacles or gaps in public policies which hamper active inclusion of citizens as well as good practices
2.The political framework – facilitator or not?
3.Recommendations (suggestions, proposals)
In advance – 10-15 min powerpoint
WG2 – March MeetingAt face to face meeting contribute on:
1.How to strengthen the social dimension of European governance?
2.How to achieve Europe 2020 target of lifting 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion?
3.How to enhance active participation through social inclusion?
Participatory Citizenship in Europe Study
A contribution to Working Group 2
Objectives
Map the concepts, policies, practices and level of Participatory Citizenship across Europe
Identify barriers and facilitators to encourage more citizen engagement in Europe
Inform the development of European policy and funding programmes in particular the: the 2013 European Year of Citizens 2014-2020 Europe for Citizens Programme 2014 European Parliament elections
Reports
Contextual – Concepts and definition
Analytic – maps current state of play on policy and engagement in Europe
Good Practice – identifies key features of effective practice
Study Summary and Policy Recommendation - identifies an EC policy strategy on Participatory Citizenship
Reports located on Europe for Citizens website:
http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/about-the-europe-for-citizens-programme/studies/index_en.htm
Definition of Participatory Citizenship
•‘Participation in civil society, community and/or political life, characterized by mutual respect and non-violence and in accordance with human rights and democracy’.
Definition broadly blends the practices of different models of citizenship across Europe
All actions must be underpinned by the values of human rights and democracy
• Countries looking inwards at internal concerns• Policy focus entirely on economic competitiveness• Reduction in funding
• All levels national, local and private • All dimensions of citizenship
Barriers: Effects of Economic Recession
‘there are difficulties for national and local NGOs to become engaged at the European
level when they are focused on finding funding merely to keep their organisations
afloat’
Economic competitiveness
Participatory Citizenship relates to economic competitiveness and social cohesion indicators
Focusing only on the short term economic imperative may miss the broader and long term perspective
Participatory activities can provide a useful balance particularly in periods of high unemployment
‘Countries that are highly competitive tend also to be highly participatory with high
levels of social cohesion i.e. Nordic countries’
Effective strategies
Participatory Citizenship is primarily a learnt activity
Learning in all it diverse forms (from discussing politics with friends to formal education) relates to Participatory Citizenship
Learning improves quality of Participatory Citizenship (enhancing civic competences: knowledge, skills, attitudes & values)
European Union strategy
balanced in promoting both political participation as well as voluntary and community action in civil society
targeted in recognising and responding to the impact of the economic crisis at national and local level in member states
sufficiently flexible and long-term to encourage and promote collaborative working between EU institutions, member states and EU citizens
European Year of Citizens 2013
• A bottom-up approach with citizens involved in constructing and developing the programme and activities
• Opportunity for the EU institutions to listen to Citizens • Provide momentum for new Europe for Citizens
Programme and EP elections• Increase profile of Participatory Citizenship as a policy
priority• Needs sufficient funding to turn aims into reality for
citizens• Respond to the needs and interests of European
citizens
European Elections 2014
Explain to citizens why it is important that they vote:
not only to defend their individual legal rights
ensure the continued legitimacy of the EU and its institutions
to show their support for the common values of democracy, human rights, social cohesion and tolerance that underpin European citizenship
EU 2020 Smart Sustainable & Inclusive Growth
Balance in policy emphasis between Participatory Citizenship, social cohesion & economic competitiveness so that values & practices of democracy flourish
Long term challenges of competitiveness & climate change should be grounded in active involvement of and participation of citizens in order to safeguard future of democracy in Europe
• Reports available on Europe for Citizens website: http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/
• about-the-europe-for-citizens-programme/studies/index_en.htm
• Contact details:• Bryony Hoskins, University of Southampton • [email protected]• David Kerr, Citizenship Foundation