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OSE
Newsletter 6 – July 2010 |
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FOREWORD
The present issue is the first of three dedicated to the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council (which began on 1st July) and the key challenges it will face in the coming months. In summarising the OSE’s publications and events, we shed light on the main issues on the EU agenda and our own research efforts.
This Newsletter is largely focused on Europe 2020, the new strategy the EU is implementing to renew its socio-economic model in the next decade. In particular, the OSE’s most recent publications look at the impact of the European Employment Strategy in eastern European countries, the Europeanisation of national healthcare systems, and the political/institutional debate on the new strategy. Other OSE research activities include key contributions on the main critical points Europe 2020 will face in order to improve its effectiveness. Readers will find below a short list of major publications on this topic, providing a fuller picture of the scientific debate.
Both past events and future workshops and conferences prove the commitment of the OSE team to understanding the “shadows and lights” of European social policy. For September in particular there is a full agenda of events representing the attempt of the Belgian Presidency to re-launch the policy issues at stake and the efforts of the whole OSE team to contribute to the broad reflexions on social policy ongoing in the EU.
We hope you will enjoy reading the Newsletter, and would like to warmly welcome Pascal Mignolet who has recently joined the OSE administrative staff.
David Natali and Bart Vanhercke, co-directors
| Publications
Update |
OSE Paper
Series
The Lisbon strategy: one-size fits all? Focusing on
Central and Eastern Europe
Caroline de la Porte and Kerstin Jacobsson, OSE Paper
Series, Opinion Paper No. 3, July 2010
The European
Employment Strategy (EES) – embodying the social
investment paradigm - is presented as a key instrument for
the EU and its Member States to solve problems of low
economic and employment growth and to adapt to the needs of
the knowledge-based global economy, while maintaining a
social model based on solidarity. But does the one-size fits
all model meet the needs of all Member States? This Opinion
Paper focuses on the new Member States, where it is argued
that the EES side-steps the main challenges in the 10
Central and Eastern European (CEE) EU Member States.
More info... EN |
FR
The Europeanisation of National
Healthcare Systems: Creative Adaptation in the Shadow of
Patient Mobility Case Law.
Rita
Baeten, Bart Vanhercke (OSE) and Michael Coucheir
(University of Ghent). OSE Paper Series, Research Paper No.
3, July 2010.
This Research
Paper examines the actual (as opposed to potential) impact
of European Integration on national healthcare systems as a
result of rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ)
with regard to patient mobility. While the Belgian
Presidency tries to reach a compromise in the Council on the
draft Directive which aims to codify the ECJ case law on
patient mobility, many Member States have already set about
implementing (aspects of) this case law. The paper analyses
in detail the differences and similarities in the Member
States’ reactions and explains how the Europeanisation of
healthcare systems through ECJ cases sets off a dynamic
process of creative adaptation at the national level.
More info... EN |
FR
De Lisboa
a Europa 2020 ¿Una nueva dirección para la estrategia económica
de la Unión Europea?
Cécile Barbier, Informe 21, Fundación 1º de Mayo, June
2010
This report reviews the elaboration of the Europe 2020
strategy and tries to assess in what ways it is innovative
by comparison with the current Lisbon strategy.
More
info and download...
An initial version
of this article was published in the OSE Paper series in
French.
See also, by the same author, Vers le «gouvernement économique»
de la zone euro : pour le meilleur ou pour le pire ? OSE
Paper Series, Opinion Paper No. 2, April 2010, 8p. This
Paper examines how the notion of “economic government”
of the Eurozone came to be on the European Agenda.
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| Further
reading on Europe 2020 |
« Stratégie
de Lisbonne » : les promesses sociales non
tenues
Jean-Claude Barbier, Document de travail du Centre
d’Economie de la Sorbonne, CES Working Papers,
2010.18.
According to Jean-Claude Barbier, senior CNRS (Centre
national de la recherche scientifique) researcher at the
Centre d’Economie de la Sorbonne (équipe Matisse), it is
time to take stock of what is often called “Lisbon”. As
the case of flexicurity promotion demonstrates, the Lisbon
strategy largely fell short of delivering on its initial
promises. More realistically, it should mainly be seen as a
discourse pursued under the auspices of EU law, thus most
often promoting economic freedoms at the expense of social
rights.
Download (PDF)... FR
This title was also published
in the Rivista delle politiche sociali (2010, no.1).
Les
traductions de l’« activation ». La douce européanisation
des systèmes nationaux de protection sociale
Daniel Dumont, PhD in Law Sciences at FUSL (Facultés
universitaires Saint-Louis, Belgium).
In this text, Daniel Dumont conducts a historical review of
the way social protection policy was incorporated into the
European agenda. He presents a critical assessment of the
diversity of the national models of social protection as
compared with the “activation policies”.
Download
(PDF)... FR
This text was later published
in the Belgian Revue interdisciplinaire d’études
juridiques, 2009 volume 63.
What’s
wrong with EU 2020 ?
Philippe Pochet, ETUI (European Trade Union Institute)
Policy Brief, European Social Policy, issue no. 2, 2010
This critical assessment of the Commission’s 2020 strategy
paper finds that the consequences of the exit strategy from
the economic crisis are largely glossed over. Policymakers
face a looming trilemma - reducing debt, investing in green
infrastructure, and maintaining the welfare state and public
services – that can only be addressed by thinking out of
the box. According to Philippe Pochet, General Director of
ETUI, tackling inequalities of all types should be the
agenda’s top priority.
Download
(PDF)... EN
| FR
Two
crises, two responses
Benedicta Marzinotto, Jean Pisani-Ferry and André Sapir,
bruegelpolicybrief, Issue 2010/01.
This paper sheds light on the recent economic and budgetary
crisis with a specific focus on the case of Greece and
Spain. The authors suggest some revisions of the Stability
and Growth Pact and put forward some insights for the
improvement of EU socio-economic governance.
Download
(PDF)... EN
|
| News |
Research
The Lisbon Strategy, Europe 2020 and the crisis in between
Under a research contract funded by the Belgian Federal Public Social Security system, David Natali wrote a paper on “The Lisbon Strategy, Europe 2020 and the crisis in between”. This paper provides a
brief overview of the Lisbon strategy, its political and economic rationale, and its main headway and limitations in terms of governance. “Shadows” and “lights” of the Lisbon strategy are assessed in the
wake of the recent economic crisis. The key findings are then summarised as seven critical points to be addressed in order to understand the potential of the recently launched EU 2020
Strategy..
More info...
EN
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FR
The Social Dimension in the Lisbon Strategy: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives
The OSE is closely involved in scientific preparation of the international Conference organised by the Belgian Presidency of the EU that will focus on “Coordination in the social field in the context of Europe
2020: Looking back and building the future”. The event can count on an active contribution from the RECWOWE Network of Excellence. Bart Vanhercke, David Natali and Cécile Barbier are involved in this
research project.
More info...
EN
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FR
European social dialogue: assessment and perspectives
The OSE has just embarked on a new research contract with the European Trade Union Confederation on the state of the European social dialogue. The research project will be carried out by the OSE
social dialogue team (C. Degryse, R. Peña-Casas and R. Careja) through an in-depth review of the literature on European cross-industry and sectoral social dialogue, a survey and interviews with actors
in the field. The research products will contribute to the debate following on from the next ETUC Congress to be held in Athens in May 2011.
Brèves sur les soins de santé en Europe / Nieuws over gezondheidszorg uit Europa
No.14, June 2010
This Newsletter, published in French and in Dutch, provides an overview of EU-level developments of relevance to national healthcare systems, with links to a variety of official documents. It includes
policy developments and European Court of Justice case law. Subscription is free.
French version
Dutch version
NEW: From September onwards this Newsletter will also be published in English.
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| Forthcoming events |
7-8 September 2010
Assuring Adequate Pensions & Social Benefits for all European Citizens
This conference will focus on the key challenges to the long-term viability of pension systems in Europe. David Natali will deliver a keynote speech (on “Pension reforms in Europe”) at this Belgian Presidency
Conference. More info: info@socialsecurity2010.be
More info...
EN
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FR
14-15 September 2010
EU coordination in the social field in the context of Europe 2020: Looking back and building the future
This conference will focus on overall EU governance in the social field, while exploring ways of improving the tools for social policy coordination and providing concrete suggestions for ‘making it work’ at national and sub-national levels. Bart Vanhercke will contribute to this Belgian Presidency Conference. More info: info@socialsecurity2010.be
More info...
EN
| FR
16-17 September 2010
Alliances against Poverty
The Belgian Christian Workers' Movement (ACW/MOC) is organising this event as part of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. Bart Vanhercke will make a keynote speech, alongside speakers such as Robert Castel, Ides Nicaise and Joakim Palme.
More info...
EN
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FR
21 September 2010
"OSE Lunchtime Session"
on Decent Work in Europe: Challenges in view of social dialogue and social inclusion with Mathias Maucher, Social Policy Coordinator,
SOLIDAR
(European network of NGOs working to advance social justice).
The OSE Lunchtime Sessions (Midis de l'OSE) bring
together the OSE team and their guests. A short presentation is followed by an informal debate.
More info...
EN
| FR
20 October 2010
Employment and Poverty : the role of social partners in the fight against poverty and social
exclusion
The OSE is organising, in the framework of the Belgian EU Presidency and the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010, an international conference on the role of social partners in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. This event, dedicated to activation, working poor and job quality, is supported by the cabinet of the Federal Minister of Employment and Equal Opportunities and the European Network of Excellence RECWOWE. It will contribute on the one hand to a more active mobilisation of the Belgian and European social partners on the issue of poverty, and on the other hand to improving the collaboration between social partners and the various bodies in charge of the fight against poverty in Belgium and Europe. Ramon Peña-Casas and Dalila Ghailani will contribute to the conference.
More info...
EN
| FR
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| Past events |
Understanding the Europeanisation of Domestic Welfare States
The European Network of Excellence on Reconciling Work and Welfare (RECWOWE) and the OSE held a seminar on 2 July 2010 on “Understanding the Europeanisation of Domestic Welfare States: How does the EU affect national and regional social policies?"
More info...
EN
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FR
Social Profit Sector between General Interest and the Market
The OSE, Kleis, VLEVA (Liaison Agency Flanders-Europe) and Pour la Solidarité held a seminar on 16 June 2010 on the application of European internal market rules and the services directive to non-profit social services. With the participation of the Flemish Minister for well-being, family & public health Jo Vandeurzen, this seminar addressed a broad audience of stakeholders in the sector concerned in Flanders. Rita Baeten presented her analysis of the topic while Bart Vanhercke chaired the meeting.
Download presentations...
NL
More info...
EN
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FR
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| The
OSE in European Networks |
Third RECWOWE
Executive Seminar
on “The coordination of social
security schemes for working age people. Integrating income
protection and activation in European welfare states”, 30th
September and 1st October 2010, Lausanne, Switzerland. The
seminar will provide an opportunity to discuss both
theoretical and practical issues related to the coordination
of social security schemes.
More info...
EN
Sixth
ESPANET Summer School
(organised jointly with Recwowe) on
‘Tensions between Work and Welfare: Balance and future
prospects at the Dusk of the Lisbon Strategy’, Oviedo, 20-28
July 2010. The Summer School addressed the topics of EU
activities in the social policy field, tensions between work
and family life, and the impact of the crisis. David Natali
introduced the summer school with a presentation entitled
‘The Lisbon Strategy ten years on’.
More info...
EN
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| Activities |
From the Rome treaty to the Lisbon treaty: the social market economy as a “new” future for the European Union ?
Cécile Barbier gave a historical introduction to the course organised by the European Trade Union Institute on the Lisbon treaty and its impact on workers’ rights and citizenship.
More info and Slides...
EN |
FR
State of play of the European project: where do we stand today?
Bart Vanhercke presented his state of play of the European project (« Etat des lieux du projet européen: où en sommes-nous? ») for some 350 trade union activists belonging to the CSC (Confederation
of Christian Trade Unions) in Liege.
More info and Slides...
FR
European policies and hospitals: which consequences for Belgium ?
EU policies were one of the topics at the annual study days of
Santhea, the umbrella organisation of non-profit and public hospitals in the Belgian French Community. OSE policy analyst Rita Baeten
spoke about the free movement of patients in the European Union and the lines the Court of Justice has drawn.
Slides...
FR
Overview of the European Treaties from a citizen and social perspective
In the framework of the European Project called “Popular Education as a method for a Citizens Europe” led by the Centre
d’Information et d’Education populaire (Centre for Information and Popular Education, CIEP Hainaut), Cécile Barbier took part in a seminar held in Bucharest on 19 May 2010. She gave the participants an
overview of the European Treaties from a citizen’s and social perspective and presented the broad guidelines of the future Europe 2020 Strategy.
More info and Slides...
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FR
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P
u b l i c a t i o n s i n t h
e b o x
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The «Old» and «New» Politics of Financial Services Regulation in the EU
Quaglia, L. (2010)
OSE Paper Series, Research Paper No.2, April 2010, 19p.
This paper examines the regulatory response of the European Union to the global financial crisis, addressing the questions of whether, how and why the crisis has changed the ‘old’ politics of financial
services regulation in the EU. It is argued that the existing model of financial regulation has been challenged by a less ‘market-friendly‘ approach.
More info...
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Social developments in the European Union 2009
Edited by Christophe Degryse
ETUI, OSE, Brussels, 2010.
This book focuses on the main social issues that have affected the EU in the past year: the economic crisis and Europe’s response are at the core of this edition.
More info...
EN |
FR
Slides of the conference on 19 May 2010 are downloadable.
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Cécile Barbier,
newsletter coordinator - Bart Vanhercke, editor-in-chief
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