Coiste Eacnamaíoch agus Sóisialta na hEorpa
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Women with disabilities in the EU: situation and way forward". The aim of the event is to look into the situation of women with disabilities in the EU and propose some recommendations to improve it. In the first part we will set the scene and background while in the second part we will listen to some inspiring testimonies and good practices.
Your presence and input are most welcome!
Joint EESC – Cedefop event. The aim of this event is to bring together countries and relevant stakeholders to help each other in the definition and implementation of measures to improve literacy, numeracy and digital competences of adults with low level of skills, in line with the 2016 Council recommendation ‘Upskilling pathways: new opportunities for adults’. Participation to this forum is on invitation.
The event will launch the "Toolkit on the use of EU Funds for the integration of people with a migrant background". The European Commission continues to look for ways to assist Member States in the field of integration of third country nationals. Based on the lessons learnt, the toolkit aims to support national and regional funding authorities in implementing integration policies through the use of EU funds and, therefore, to reinforce synergies between those funds. This will help identify measures to promote the use of EU funds in the fields of employment, education, reception, housing and access to basic services.
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Reviewing the 2014-2020 ESIF Regulations in favour of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations".
The aim of the event is to look into the use of European Investment and Structural Funds to promote inclusion of persons with disability.
In September 2016, the EESC adopted an own-initiative opinion on "The rights of live-in care workers". It was a first policy document at the European level dealing with the sector of live-in care work in Europe. As follow-up to this initiative, the EESC will carry out 5 country visits to countries of origin and destination of live-in care workers (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Poland) to deepen the research on labour and work conditions of these persons and the quality of care delivery. The findings will be presented in a report to be released by the EESC later in 2018.
Roma still remain the most underrepresented group on the labour market, with high numbers of unemployment. Due to the combination of various factors, such as poverty and deprivation, low levels of education and skills and discrimination in both education and employment, there are still serious structural barriers for Roma. Therefore they do not benefit from mainstream or targeted measures/initiatives. The Roma Platform is a high-level event that will provide an opportunity to discuss education and employment for Roma.
The event follows up on the Social Innovation for Refugee Inclusion seminar that took place in September 2016. Following the arrival of large amounts of migrants from 2015 onwards, a large amount of non-traditional actors has initiated innovative ways to foster the inclusion of newcomers. Yet, this movement has struggled to bring on structural change. The event aims to reflect on how this field can mature in partnership with other stakeholders, with a particular focus on labour market inclusion.
The PSG on the inclusion of the Roma will in its hearing on 15 November deal with segregation in education of Roma. Roma are often placed in special schools for children with learning disabilities. The Commission has launched infringement procedures against the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary for school segregation As segregation has negative consequences on school attainment it severely affects the Roma though their entire life and maintain them in a situation of deprivation and poverty.
The LMO and the European Commission are jointly organising a conference on "Intergenerational fairness and solidarity in Europe" on 10 October. On this occasion, the 2017 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) Review prepared by the EC will be launched. Discussions will tackle issues such as the labour market-related problems that younger generations are facing today, the need for adequate and sustainable pensions and the role of civil society in ensuring fairer labour markets for all.
2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the European Disability Forum (EDF). Founded in 1997, the EDF has grown into a European disability movement with representation in all European Union (EU) Member States and beyond. The EDF has been helping people with disabilities and their representative bodies to come together and speak with one voice. Together with our members and partners, we are fighting for a more inclusive society with equal opportunities for everyone.
