European Union News - Social Affairs

The European Commission is organising a major conference in Brussels to present the key findings of the 'New Skills for New Jobs' high-level expert group, providing recommendations on how to take forward the EU skills and jobs agenda. In addition, new figures on the supply and demand for skills in Europe up to 2020 will be presented.

Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation, but less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their country, according to an opinion survey released today. The Eurobarometer on the social climate in the EU also found large differences between countries, with people in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands generally most satisfied with their personal situation.

Ministers and top-level political representatives from the EU will be taking part in the European “Women in Power” summit in Cádiz on 3 February, which will be opened by the First Vice-president of the Spanish Government, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, the Minister of Equality, Bibiana Aído, and the United Kingdom's Minister for Women and Leader of the House of Commons, Harriet Harman.

Vice-President Margot Wallström and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen have hosted a high-level conference on women, peace and security in the European Commission premises. This conference saw the participation of Spanish First Vice-President Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega, Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright alongside civil society representatives, military officials, high-level policy-makers and witnesses.

The Official Journal of the European Union has issued the Decision of the Council which officially declares 2011 as European Year of Volunteering to promoting active citizenship

The headquarters of the Information Society and Media DG host the Social Inclusion and Related Technologies Workshop, with a particular focus on social computing and inclusion.

The European Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU will tomorrow launch the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Under the slogan “Stop Poverty Now!”, the campaign aims to put the fight against poverty – which directly affects one in six Europeans – centre stage across the EU during 2010. European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso and Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will inaugurate the Year at a launch event to be held tomorrow in Madrid.

The European Commission launched on January 26th a Call for proposals to award grants to actions in support of the policy on integration of third-country nationals. Interested parties may present their proposals until March 3rd 2010.

The Spanish Presidency's strategy to combat the economic crisis and promote new policies, in a coordinated fashion, which consolidate recovery and begin the path towards sustainable growth and job creation today received the support of its European partners and the EU institutions.

Spain wants the alternative proposal to improve the rights of EU citizens without assuming the cost to the Public Health System. According to the Spanish Minister of Health, Trinidad Jimenez, "should begin to work again" on an EU directive

The Commission has called for citizen's opinions on Progress, EU's employment and social solidarity programme. The cuestionaire can be filled on line at the website of the Directorate General of Employment, Social Affairs and Public Opportunities.