The seminar “Social Cohesion: A New Horizon for 21st Century Europe”, organised by the European Social Cohesion Platform of the Council of Europe (PECS), will be held online on 17 June 2021.
The main objectives of the half day seminar are to discuss the challenges to social cohesion posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding unequal impacts of the crisis and the following lockdowns and social distancing measures and to suggest solutions for improving the situation of the most vulnerable in the post-Covid recovery.
During the first session, participants will discuss the repercussions of the Covid-19 crisis on the quality of the social fabric and the confidence of citizens in their institutions. They will also discuss on how to reinforce the human rights approach throughout the policy frameworks, and how certain actions are consistent with the requirements of the European Social Charter. They will address the need to tackle underlying fragility factors, while addressing immediate needs arising from the pandemic, in particular towards the most vulnerable.
The second session will give the opportunity to exchange ideas on public policies to promote the social welfare and to support the most vulnerable, with a focus on best practices regarding, inter alia, employment, inclusion and health, and contributing to the achievements of the “2030 Agenda” goals. Attention will be given to moving beyond the emergency response and ensure stabilisation and a plan for a longer-term recovery.
The seminar will be followed by the 6th meeting of the PECS on 17-18 June 2021. The Platform will take stock of its workplan for 2020-2021, exchange views and make proposals for new activities. It will also discuss the conceptual paper on the new challenges and trends to social cohesion in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will be presented by Prof. Marc Maudinet, the author.
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