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No. 21 - Institutional accommodation and the citizen: legal and political interaction in a pluralist society

The question of accommodations that institutions and citizens must make to ensure social cohesion in pluralist societies is of concern to the Council of Europe. How will we live and interact together in diversity? It is becoming increasingly important to provide responses and devise innovative frameworks (in the legal sphere, in national education and training in competences and in institutional practice) which can help build a shared vision while at the same time respecting each individual. By comparing European and Canadian responses, among others, the articles featured in this volume explore this complex issue. They contribute to a major social debate and outline a vision of the future that allows us to set aside mutual suspicion and develop institutional arrangements and forms of social interaction capable of making diversity a factor for progress, well-being and social justice. They also remind us that poverty combined with stigmatisation based on identity leads to stasis, social malaise and an increase in security measures, which ultimately prevent societies from evolving through risk-taking, shared responsibility, dialogue and consultation.

Contents

No. 20 - Well-being for all - Concepts and tools for social cohesion (2008)

The concepts of well-being for all and of responsibility borne by all are fundamental to the definition of social cohesion propounded by the Council of Europe and bring a new dimension to the ideas of freedom, choice and preference. All the articles in this volume come together to demonstrate the importance of not only the tangible but also the intangible dimensions of well-being, and more specifically, each person's recognition of their role as an actor in society. This recognition is pivotal for advancing progresses conducive to well-being founded on mutual responsibility. The way in which responsibilities are apportioned probably contributes to the widening or maintenance of gaps between the sense of well-being and the material dimensions of well-being observed in modern societies. This volume tries to suggest ways in which we can develop inclusive and concerted opinions on the subject of well-being (taking into consideration common goods) as a tool for improving social cohesion. Download

No. 17 - Reconciling labour flexibility with social cohesion - The experiences and specificities of central and eastern Europe (2007)

Even though the work place has become significantly more flexible in the former socialist countries of central and eastern Europe, the ideas on “flexicurity” and strategies of reconciliation are usually only developed in the context of the western European welfare states. However, when considering the differences of the transformation process, it is clearly indispensable to go beyond a one-size-fits-all strategy. The realities of central and eastern Europe and their social institutional systems must I taken into account.This volume contributes to filling this gap and to starting a pan-European reflection on the concepts and issues of labour flexibility and social cohesion. It contributes to the understanding| the specificities of certain realities in| central and eastern Europe, including Turkey, in order to conceive adequate strategies for conciliation. Download

No. 16 - Reconciling labour flexibility with social cohesion - Ideas for political action

No. 15 - Reconciling labour flexibility with social cohesion – Facing the challenge

This volume on labour flexibility questions the effects on social cohesion of labour market administrative and organisational reforms. The Council of Europe is seeking conciliation between the inevitable changes wrought by globalisation, i.e. reorganisation of the parameters of competition, and social cohesion. This conciliation should take into account the essential political value of democratic security. This security is to be found firstly in employment; the high social and societal cost of precariousness attests to this. However, security should not imply rigidityand rather translate it into societal recognition of a “right to transition” which calls for co-responsibility of all stakeholders. Conciliation is more than a political duty: it is the cost of the stability required for social sustainability. It should therefore raise awareness of the need to find new ways of sharing fairly the costs and benefits generated by the transitions.  Download

No. 14 - Solidarity-based choices in the market-place: a vital contribution to social cohesion

This volume, which argues in favour of pursuing a public-private dialogue on citizen's commitment in economic activities in order to enhance social cohesion in Europe, supplements the analyses to be found in Trends Nr.12.
It considers the impact of citizenship-based economic activities on the restoration of the market's social and ethical dimension. Their importance is also reflected in the many legislative measures adopted by European states in this field and in public support for the development of ethical and socially responsible financing and consumption (including fair trade). Download

No. 13 - Retirement income: recent developments and proposals

This volume pursues the Council of Europe's discussion on developments in social security, focusing on the consequences of the recent reforms of old-age pension schemes in Europe and taking a closer look at the repercussions of private funding of old-agepensions on social cohesion and equality between women and men.

Also read Trends in social cohesion nr. 2 dealing with old-age pension and health care financing systems in Europe in the 1990's.

No. 12 - Ethical, solidarity-based citizen involvement in the economy: a prerequisite for social cohesion

Drawing inspiration from the Council of Europe Strategy for social cohesion, this volume analyses from different angles the new forms of economic solidarity and responsibility which European citizens are setting in place to respond to the modern-day challenges of human and environmental vulnerability.  Some legal concepts and frameworks are emerging here in response to these ethical, solidarity-based initiatives which must be read with this basic question in mind: is it possible to give a “political” meaning (in the sense of polis , the common good, or social cohesion) to individual economic choices?  Download

No. 11 - Security through social cohesion: deconstructing fear (of others) by going beyon stereotypes

This volume is intended to supplement the analyses provided in Volume Nr. 10.  It contains ideas concerning two questions relating to the effects of the feeling of insecurity on social cohesion: why does modern European society – where solidarity and collective identity are an integral part of the heritage – create a sometimes seemingly irrational demand for security? Do we have the institutional and political means to dispel the feelings of insecurity and fear that are taking hold in our societies as globalisation progresses? The texts presented suggest that we should refrain from stigmatising, criminalising, “ghetto-ising” and finding scapegoats, and call on us to find ways to dispel the fear (of others) which divides us and to open up our societies to initiatives leading to the globalisation of solidarity, while recognising everyone's rights and leaving all stereotypes behind.  Download

No. 10 - Security through social cohesion: proposals for a new socioeconomic governance

Without denying the importance of law and order, this volume makes the point that guaranteeing people's right to live in security requires a long-term strategy to strengthenjustice, social bonds and community life. Otherwise there is a risk that positive cohesion, based on acceptance of mutual reponsibility and solidarity, will give way to negative cohesion, based on fear and the raising of barriers against groups perceived as a threat. In defining social cohesion as “the capacity of a society to ensure the welfare of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding polarisation”, the Council of Europe is saying that everyone has the right to live in security. If citizens feel they cannot expect a reasonably secure future, society as a whole will lack cohesion and stability. Download

No. 9 - Youth and exclusion in disadvantaged urban areas: policy approches in six European cities

This volume is looking in more depth at the “integration” of young people in disadvantaged urban ares. A comparative analysis of “difficult” neighbourhoods in six European cities and a detailed study of a special project conducted in the Spanish district of Naples highlight that only co-ordinated multi-agency efforts, combined with innovative approaches adapted to the specific context, can restore dignity to the younger members of such communities and enable them to build a life project. The two articles in this volume reflect the Council of Europe's approach, which consists in seeking responses to everyday violence in the urban setting while not losing sight of its commitment as an organisation to human rights, social cohesion and democracy. Using violence to smother violence merely generates even more violence. Given that observable fact, the Council of Europe advocates renewal of public-private dialogue and building bridges between warring worlds. Download

No 8 - Youth and exclusion in disadvantaged urban areas: addressing the causes of violence

Two major reports on violence and social exclusion in disadvantaged urban areas are highlighted in this volume. They examine the policies, processes and measures undertaken to overcome social exclusion and build social cohesion, particularly among young people. Both reports provide examples of good practice, lessons learnt and possible next steps. Download

No. 7 - Civil society and new social responsibilities based on ethical foundations

This volume presents the second part of the debates of the Forum 2002 on New Social Responsibility in a Globalising World: the Role of the State, the Marquet and Civil Society.  While Trends nr.6 concentrated on the new roles of the state, this volume examines some of the many citizens' initiatives for ethical social responsibility. Download

No. 6 – The state and new social responsibilities in a globalising world

This volume presents some of the outcomes of the Forum on New Social Responsibility in a Globalising World: the Role of the State, the Marquet and Civil Society, held in Strasbourg in October 2002. The forum was intended to help clarify the impact of globalisation on redefining the way social responsibility is understood and exercised at state, market and civil society levels.  Social responsibility not only concerns the freedom and independence of individuals or bodies: it is also a factor in collective well-being in just and ballanced societies. At the same time it covers the idea of coexistence, co-operation and the need for participation by all individuals.  Download

No. 5 - Combating poverty and access to social rights in the countries of the South Caucasus : a territorial approach

Combating poverty and guaranteeing access to social rights are major issues in the countries of the South Caucasus (Armenia , Azerbaijan and Georgia). Concerned with drawing the attention of member states to the need to regnise human dignity, the Council of Europe has decided to support a territorial approach in the South Caucasus , involving mayors and local officials from the European Union and central Europe. This publication analyses the initial results of the experiment in the hope that it will open a debate on the institutional and individual commitments which combating poverty involves. Download

No. 4 – New social demands: the challenges of governance

This volume presents the findings of the Forum on New Social Demands and Governance, held in 2001. The forum made an important contribution to the much-needed reflection on setting up new institutional frameworks and creating new practices of social dialogue and partnerships, vital in order to encourage interaction between new social demands, public debate and political responses.  Download

No. 3 - Using social benefits to combat poverty and social exclusion: opportunities and problems from a comparative perspective (Matti Heikkilä and Susan Kuivalainen)

This volume sets out to address key issues: it explores the nature and scope of the problem of poverty; it examines the political responses to poverty (examples of different countries); it investigates the existence and use of various definitions and thresholds applied to poverty in policy making; it also examines the variations within income transfers, i.e. social benefits designed to prevent or alleviate poverty and material hardship; it explores the effectiveness of benefit schemes in reducing poverty.  Download

No. 2 – Trends and developments in old-age pension and health-care financing in Europe during the 1990s

This volume focuses upon the common solutions and concepts developed to the challenges Council of Europe member states are facing concerning old-age pension and health-care financing. Download

No. 1 - Promoting the policy debate on social exclusion from a comparative perspective

This first volume is devoted to the initial results of the Network of Social Researchers which was set up in 2001 by the Directorate General of Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe. The network aims to build bridges between the research undertaken and the policies elaborated in the fights against social exclusion. Download