Conference on Active European Citizenship European Project « Dialogue with the EU – The Voices of the Citizens » Athens, 19 February 2010 Céline Simonin, Policy Officer Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Union Europe and Family Policies

2 Who is COFACE? - The voice of families in the EU since More than 50 member organisations in 21 Member States. - General and single-issue national family organisations. - Co-funded by the EU PROGRESS Programme

3 Values of COFACE - Pluralistic organisation. - Promotion of family policy, solidarity between generations, and the interests of children within the EU. - Policy of non-discrimination and of equal opportunities between persons and between family forms. - Specific support to policies aiming at equality between women and men.

4 Role of COFACE: shaping a European family policy (1) - Decisions or orientations taken at EU level directly affect family life.  need for a European family policy, defined as ‘the family dimension to be incorporated into the economic, social and cultural policies and initiatives drawn up at European level’  ‘family mainstreaming’ respecting Member States exclusive competence in the field of family policy

5 Role of COFACE: shaping a European family policy (2) - COFACE’s concrete action:  liaison with the EU institutions (spokesperson for family organisations)  information and awareness raising of members on the EU dimension  organisation of exchanges of ideas and experiences and mutual aid between family organisations  Promotion of an active European citizenship

6 Role of COFACE: shaping a European family policy (3) - Policy developments in various areas:  social protection and social inclusion  equal opportunities (incl. disability issues)  consumer protection  health and education  new technologies  citizenship and civil society  etc.

7 Europe and family policy: milestones (1) : European Parliament Resolution on European family policy : European Commission’s communication on family policies + conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of Family Affairs : Directive on safety and health at work of pregnant workers (maternity leave directive) : Directive on parental leave.

8 Europe and family policy: milestones (2) -2000: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union : European Alliance for Families : revision of the Directive on parental leave + entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (incl. the Charter).

9 Europe and family policy: current debates (1) - EU 2020 Strategy. - Social inclusion, child poverty, and the consequences of the economic crisis. - Demographic challenges, the ageing of the population and support to family carers. - Work/life balance and gender equality.

10 Europe and family policy: current debates (2) - Overindebtedness, consumers’ rights. - Social services of general interest. - School drop-out and the role of parents. - Digital literacy, safer Internet.

11 Recent COFACE positions relating to family and social policies (1) - Position on reconciling family life, private life and professional life to prevent poverty and social exclusion:  quality employment  time (leave schemes, upgrade of part-time work, flexible working time arrangement)  wide array of services meeting families’ needs  integrated approach (framework directive)

12 Recent COFACE positions relating to family and social policies (2) - Recommendations on active inclusion, a tool for fighting family poverty:  implementation of the Commission’s 2008 recommendations  creation of a ‘minimum family income’ (child benefits, minimum income, …)  family-friendly inclusive labour markets  access to essential quality services for all families

13 Recent COFACE positions relating to family and social policies (3) - Position on the role of maintenance payments in combating poverty among lone-parent families:  mechanisms for an objective determination of maintenance amounts  public systems to guarantee payments of child maintenance  role of the EU

14 Recent COFACE positions relating to family and social policies (4) - Position on the role of personal income taxation in preventing family poverty  Redistribution of prosperity  Recognition of financial burden borne by families  Non-discrimination  Support to most vulnerable families  Role of the EU

Thank you for your attention! EUROPEAN COMMISSION DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities COFACE is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS ( ). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.