1. 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. 2 Who is COFACE? - The voice of families in the EU since 1958. - More than 50 member organisations in 21 Member States. - General and single-issue national family organisations. - Co-funded by the EU PROGRESS Programme

3. 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. 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. 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. 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. 7 Europe and family policy: milestones (1) - 1983: European Parliament Resolution on European family policy. -1989: European Commission’s communication on family policies + conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers of Family Affairs. - 1992: Directive on safety and health at work of pregnant workers (maternity leave directive). - 1996: Directive on parental leave.

8. 8 Europe and family policy: milestones (2) -2000: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. -2007: European Alliance for Families. - 2009: revision of the Directive on parental leave + entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (incl. the Charter).

9. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

15. Thank you for your attention! www.coface-eu.org EUROPEAN COMMISSION DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities COFACE is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (2007-2013). 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. http://ec..europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=327&langId=en