The exchange was between key researchers from the NEUJOBs project, led by Iain Begg, LSE, with interventions from the European Commission: Anne Bucher (DG ECFIN), Lieve Fransen (DG Employment), Xavier Prats-Monne, (Director General – DG Education), Michele Calendrino (Secretariat General), with key researchers and stakeholders including Maria Jepsen from ETUI, Jean-Claude Barbier from the University of Paris, Eric Marlier and Bart Vanhercke from OSE.
Key concerns raised were the impact of the current economic governance approach, and the need to move forward on social standards, ensuring that access to quality services was guaranteed to all. Whilst the demand for more jobs in social services was clear, the dominance of austerity was likely to restrict this development. Concerns were raised about the impact of liberalisation, the role of 3rd Sector services, and failure of EU treaty and current regulation to guarantee these rights.
In the light of findings emerging from the NEUJOBS research project, the purpose of the workshop was to promote dialogue and debate with policy-makers and practitioners about the future directions for Social Europe.
The workshop preceded the same-name seminar held on 10th November. For more information on the NEUJOBS project, see here http://www.neujobs.eu/events/neujobs-brainstorming-seminar-whither-social-europe
