POLICY REVIEW
The projects funded under the Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities (SSH) programme are policy-oriented. As stated in the specific programme adopted by the Council, "the research priorities will help improve the formulation, implementation, impact and assessment of policy, including regulatory measures in many Community policy areas at the European, national, regional and local levels". This is also in line with the Treaty on European Union (article 179). In order to strengthen the policy relevance of its action, the socio-economic sciences and humanities programme has developed "policy reviews" that represent syntheses of research results and policy analyses and recommendations in selected policy areas across a large number of funded projects. 13 such policy reviews were published in 2007. New European research policy reviews have been published and they address the challenging issues of migration, youth and corporate social responsibility.
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Why socio-economic inequalities increase? Facts and policy responses in Europe 2010, EUR 24471 EN, ISBN 978-92-79-16343-2, doi: 10.2777/94928, 50 pages (3.21MB  )There is now compelling scientific evidence that since the mid-1970s socio-economic inequalities have greatly increased in the world and also in Europe. What the research in Social Sciences and the Humanities clearly show is that countries with higher socio-economic inequalities also experience more acute socio-economic problems – whether we are speaking about lower economic growth, more violence, poorer educational achievements, lower civic or electoral participation or higher mortality rates. At the same time, we have experienced sustained economic growth since the 1980s. This means that the kind of growth experienced over the last decades fosters inequalities and, with them, all the social and economic evils that strike the European Union and weaken it as a model for progress and well-being. The way forward is a new socio-ecological model which will have the European democratic values of equity and progress at its heart and make sure that socio-economic inequalities will decline and soon. |
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Towards greater corporate responsibility – Conclusions of EU-funded research Brussels, 2009, EUR 24168, ISBN 978-92-79-13819-5; doi 10.2777/7; ISSN 1018-5593; 64 p. (4.3MB )This publication examines the results of socio-economic research projects on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funded under the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. In this review, the research carried out is put in the context of developing the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility as well as the evolving European Union policy in this area. As the document analyses different aspects of the issue, from strategies through instruments to outcomes in a comprehensive way, identifying also knowledge gaps and possible future trends, it should provide informative reading to all parties interested in the topic. |
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European Research on Youth - Supporting young people to participate fully in society
- The contribution of European Research Brussels, 2009, EUR 23863, ISBN 978-92-79-11450-2, ISSN 1018-5593, DOI 10.2777/4263, 76 p. (2.7MB )This publication examines the results of youth-related socio-economic research projects funded under Research Framework Programmes. This review of projects focused on youth and how to best ensure their transition into working life, on strategies for social inclusion of young people and on their full participation as citizens in society. Its main purpose is to distil some common themes which recur in the projects and which are of interest to policy-makers. On the basis of this evidence, concrete recommendations are made to policy-makers as well as to those working with young people.. |
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Moving Europe – EU research on migration and policy needs Brussels, 2009, EUR 23859, ISBN 978-92-79-09698-3, DOI 10.2777/58809, ISSN 1018-9593, 48 p. (817KB )Demography, migration, integration and social cohesion are key topics for the present and future of the European Union. Research in relation to these issues is a core part of the European Seventh Research Framework Programme, theme Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities (SSH). This report presents a brief description of the projects focusing in the area of migration and integration of migrants funded in the last five years, their main findings and relevance for European policy making. |