European Union News - Social Affairs

The 'European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals' adopted by the Commission seeks to enhance the economic, social and cultural benefits of migration in Europe. In addition, in a qualitative Europbarometer survey, it is important for Europeans and migrants the interaction at work and in schools and on the positive contribution of migrants to the local culture. The main obstacles for integration are the lack of language skills and the segregation of migrants in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

The European Commission calls on EU Member States to develop and pursue a common vision on how to coordinate research at EU level in the field of ageing. The call has as main objective a Joint Programming Initiative on ageing populations focuses in research areas in order to help older people remain active for as long as possible, in good health and with a better quality of life and how to make our future care systems sustainable.

The European Commission has launched a pilot Partnership with the aim to enhance European competitiveness while tackling societal challenges by bringing together key stakeholders from the demand and supply side. The initiative is part of the preparatory work for the 2012, European Year for Active Ageing.

The European Commission adopted a Communication outlining the main options for establishing a European Terrorist Finance Tracking System (TFTS), which represents an initial response to the request to prepare a legal and technical framework for establishing such a system within the European Union. On the other hand, the Civil Liberties Committee at European Parliament asked for a counter-terrorism policy based on evidence, not on assumptions.

A report from the Commission reveals the need of a tougher action across the European Union to tackle the growing problem of new synthetic drugs entering the market. The EU indentified a record number of 41 such psychoactive substances, which imitate the effects of dangerous drugs like ecstasy or cocaine and are sold legally, in 2010, up from 24 the previous year. 

A report approved by the European Parliament, the MEPs consider the possibility of introducing quotas in 2012 in order to increase the number of women in corporate boards. According to the report, women should make up 30% of top management in the largest listed EU companies by 2015 and 40% by 2020. MEPs also asked to the European Commission to study this possibility.