News
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Effects of life courses on women's pensions (Germany)
In Germany, as in many other countries, there is a gender gap in the value of old-age pensions reflecting differences in the career patterns of women and men. Traditionally women are more likely than men to take time out from work to care for family members, particularly young children and older relatives. This has a two-pronged impact on the levels of old-age pensions that women receive: firstly, it shortens working life and therefore reduces the number of contributions made towards a final pension and, secondly, career breaks tend to have a negative impact on income levels so that the value of these contributions is lower.
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The First Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion: Are we reaching our targets?
The Convention, that took place in Krakow (Poland) on 17-18 October was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Polish presidency.
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Closing the gap - in search for ways to deal with expanding care needs and limited resources (Sweden)
Across Europe, countries are confronted with the challenge of how to care for an ageing population with limited resources. This challenge has become even more acute as the tightening constraints on public expenditure in the aftermath of the financial crisis and the recession which accompanied it reinforce the effect of demographic trends. Although countries have quite different systems of care, there is a common need to find ways to limit the demand for care whilst at the same time ensuring access to good quality care for all those that need it without putting unsustainable stress on public resources. The purpose of this Peer Review is to stimulate debate and ideas which will help develop a strategy to assist this process.
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Assessment of progress towards the Europe 2020 social inclusion objectives
With its objective of inclusive as well as smart and sustainable growth, and with its (first ever) EU poverty and social exclusion target, the Europe 2020 Strategy increases the importance of the EU's social objectives and integrates them with the EU's economic, employment and environmental objectives.
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Policy solutions for fostering inclusive labour markets and for combating child poverty and social exclusion
Fostering inclusive labour markets and combating child poverty and social exclusion are two of the key challenges that need to be tackled by Member States if the objective of the Europe 2020 Strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is to be achieved. These challenges were identified following analysis of the National Reform Programmes (NRPs) which Member States submitted to the European Commission in April 2011.
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Building a coordinated strategy for parenting support (France)
France has established a variety of services to support parents on a voluntary, free-of-charge basis. In part these support measures respond to evolving family structures (such as the rise in single-parent families, "blended families", teenage parenthood etc) which create different needs and demand new support systems. It is also a way of supporting the well-being of children more generally and an important part of the overall effort to combat child poverty and promote social inclusion in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy.
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New amendments on the table to overcome deadlock on Food for the Deprived scheme
The EU Aid for the Needy scheme, which provides food for as many as 18 million of the EU's most deprived citizens, faces a drastic cut in spending next year following a Court ruling in April.
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The EAEA Grundtvig Award 2011 for senior volunteering
Each year, the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) celebrates innovation and excellence in adult education.
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Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards: building a more inclusive society
The Vodafone Foundation launched the first Smart Accessibility Awards earlier this summer.
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Parliament endorses 2012 as the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations
The support by the European Parliament is the final step before the launch of the European Year next January. The Council of Ministers endorsed the Year at their Employment and Social Affairs meeting in June.