Inclusive Growth: What Future for the European Social Model?
Schmid G. (2013)
OSE Paper Series, Opinion Paper No.15, May 2013, 11p.

In this Opinion Paper, Günther Schmid (WZB, Berlin) expounds four strategies based on the comparable productive capacity (CPC) model through which the European Social Model (ESM) could play a meaningful, and indeed a productive role in the future. These strategies can be seen as alternatives to an approach focused on pure flexibility measures. Striving for a true ESM is essential, and this encompasses 'soft' as well as more binding coordination of social policies.

Opinion
paper

(Why) Did we forget about history? Lessons for the Eurozone from the Failed Conditionality Debates in the 80s. 
Greer, S. L. (2013)
OSE Paper Series, Research Paper No.11, May 2013, 25p.

This paper argues that the Economic Adjustment Programmes (EAPs) that extended loans to Greece, Ireland, and Portugal closely resemble the conditional loans that international financial institutions used in the 1980s and 1990s. Drawing on the large literature on structural adjustment policies, the author suggests that the EAPs will be badly implemented, be neutral or negative for growth, be detrimental to equity and the poor, have unpredictable policy consequences, and will allow incumbent elites to preserve their positions.

Research
paper

Bart Vanhercke was in invited to the EU’s Social Protection Committee (18 April) to present the final results of the European Commission-funded assessment of the PROGRESS Peer Reviews, conducted by the OSE together with PPMI. The study was also discussed during an OSE Lunchtime Session on the topic.

(Reports and slides)

Ana Marta Guillén from the University of Oviedo, has joined the OSE Scientific Advisory Board. Professor of Sociology, her key expertise is on comparative social policy, welfare state development and health care policies.

The OSE and the European Trade Union Confederation launched a research project on "Providing welfare through Social Dialogue: A renewed role for Social Partners?" (PROWELFARE). The aim is to analyse the new phenomenon of voluntary occupational welfare in Europe.

Evolutions récentes dans l’UE ayant un impact sur les systèmes nationaux de soins de santé
Baeten, R. (2013), OSE Paper Series, Briefing Paper No.9, March 2013.

This paper (in French) shows that recently there has been an important shift in EU policies tackling health care. Whereas, in the last decade, application of the internal market rules was at the core of the debate, now health care is dealt with primarily in the context of fiscal consolidation.

Briefing
paper

The European Poverty Network and the OSE are teaming up in a new research project - EMIN - which aims to build consensus on steps towards the progressive realisation of adequate and accessible minimum income schemes in Member States.

Liberal Neo-Welfarism: new perspectives for the European Social Model
Ferrera, M. (2013), OSE Paper Series, Opinion Paper No.14, February 2013.

Europe sociale : l’état d’alerte
Barbier, J.- C. (2013), OSE Paper Series, Opinion Paper No.13, January 2013.

At a time when the social dimension of the EU seems particularly weak and fragmented, two leadings scholars in the field of welfare state analysis, Jean-Claude Barbier (CNRS Paris) and Maurizio Ferrera (University of Milan) provide their - largely divergent - views on how they perceive the current situation. As importantly, they suggest possible ways forward for the social dimension of European integration. The two OSE Working Papers clearly illustrate the limits of the actual debate, while providing inspiration for a European debate still in need of clarification.

Opinion
papers

Europe 2020: Academics and Policymakers in Dialogue
KU Leuven panel discussions on Friday 26 April and Friday 14 June 2013.

Academic researchers from KU Leuven will present policy papers on the Europe 2020 targets (employment, social inclusion, climate, education and innovation), as well as the Eurozone’s design problems, with responses from policymakers with the European Commission and international experts.

The Social Investment Package: Just Hype or the Next Big Thing? 
With Lieve Fransen (European Commission) and Bruno Palier (CNRS, Paris). 

The long-awaited Social Investment Package was released by the European Commission on the 20th February 2013. Listen to the podcast to learn about the contents of the new Package and the window of opportunity it opens while addressing the challenges relating to its implementation. 

 
Documents
and podcast

Inside the Social OMC’s Learning Tools: How « Benchmarking Social Europe » really worked
Lelie, P. and Vanhercke, B. (2013)
OSE Paper Series, Research Paper No.10, February 2013, 61p.
 
This Working Paper provides some much needed insights into the inner workings of the Social Open Method of Coordination. It clarifies how the OMC’s benchmarking tools have been used in support of the social dimension of the European Union. Concrete illustrations are provided (in summary boxes) of the operation of each of the instruments of the OMC toolkit.

Research
paper

Ramón Peña-Casas was interviewed for the program 'Europe Weekly' of EURONEWS channel, aired on January 12, 2013. He gave his assessment of certain social issues following the publication by the European Commission of its latest annual report on Developments in Employment and social Europe in 2012.

Video
(Euronews)

Changing Welfare States and the EU Social Investment Package
 
Prof. Anton Hemerijck presented his new book “Changing welfare states”, to Social Affairs Commissioner László Andor during an OSE-NEUJOBS Lunchtime session (29 January 2013). Commissioner Andor placed the book in the context of the forthcoming Social investment Package, while Frank Vandenbroucke and Philippe Pochet presented their critical feedback.

While Policymakers Teach, they Learn: Assessing the PROGRESS Peer Reviews
23 January 2013. OSE Co-Director Bart Vanhercke will present the key findings (including 'mirror effects' and strategic usages) of a case-study based analysis. Discussants are Monika Natter (Director, ÖSB International) and Øyvind Opland (EC). Spaces are limited, and therefore registration is required.

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