Economic, Social and Political Citizenship: A Coherent Whole by David Kerr from the Citizenship Foundation

Economic, Social and Political Citizenship: A

Coherent Whole

Working Group 2

European Year Citizens Alliance(EYCA 2013)

David Kerr

Citizenship Foundation

Director of Educational

Programmes

Visiting Professor of Citizenship

Birkbeck College

University of Londondavid.kerr@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk

WG2 – Economic, Social, Political Citizenship: A Coherent Whole

Three Topics of focus:

1.Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy

2.Active inclusion and social rights

3.Non discrimination/equal treatment

Topic 1: Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy

Sub-topics:

a.Social provisions of Lisbon-Treaty and Europe 2020 Strategy

b.Review on employment and social developments in Europe

c.New Social Pact in Europed.Obstacles towards mobility

Topic 2: Active inclusion and social rights

Sub-topics:a.Social and public servicesb.Minimum income schemesc.Social rightsd.Investment in formal, non-formal and

informal education and training for lifee.Empowerment of excluded people

Topic 3: Non discrimination/ equal treatment

Sub-topics:

a.Fundamental rights and Anti-Discrimination

b.Right to associate and Active Social Citizenship

c.Participatory democracy for social change

WG2 - Workplan Three face to face meetings – one per theme

1.March 2013 – Social dimension of Europe 2020 Strategy

2.July 2013 – Active inclusion and social rights

3.Sept 2013 – Non discrimination/ equal treatment

Recommendations produced Oct 2013

WG2 – Proposed UK Contribution At each face to face meeting contribute on:

1.Obstacles or gaps in public policies which hamper active inclusion of citizens as well as good practices

2.The political framework – facilitator or not?

3.Recommendations (suggestions, proposals)

In advance – 10-15 min powerpoint

WG2 – March MeetingAt face to face meeting contribute on:

1.How to strengthen the social dimension of European governance?

2.How to achieve Europe 2020 target of lifting 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion?

3.How to enhance active participation through social inclusion?

Participatory Citizenship in Europe Study

A contribution to Working Group 2

Objectives

Map the concepts, policies, practices and level of Participatory Citizenship across Europe

Identify barriers and facilitators to encourage more citizen engagement in Europe

Inform the development of European policy and funding programmes in particular the: the 2013 European Year of Citizens 2014-2020 Europe for Citizens Programme 2014 European Parliament elections

Reports

Contextual – Concepts and definition

Analytic – maps current state of play on policy and engagement in Europe

Good Practice – identifies key features of effective practice

Study Summary and Policy Recommendation - identifies an EC policy strategy on Participatory Citizenship

Reports located on Europe for Citizens website:

http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/about-the-europe-for-citizens-programme/studies/index_en.htm

Definition of Participatory Citizenship

•‘Participation in civil society, community and/or political life, characterized by mutual respect and non-violence and in accordance with human rights and democracy’.

Definition broadly blends the practices of different models of citizenship across Europe

All actions must be underpinned by the values of human rights and democracy

• Countries looking inwards at internal concerns• Policy focus entirely on economic competitiveness• Reduction in funding

• All levels national, local and private • All dimensions of citizenship

Barriers: Effects of Economic Recession

‘there are difficulties for national and local NGOs to become engaged at the European

level when they are focused on finding funding merely to keep their organisations

afloat’

Economic competitiveness

Participatory Citizenship relates to economic competitiveness and social cohesion indicators

Focusing only on the short term economic imperative may miss the broader and long term perspective

Participatory activities can provide a useful balance particularly in periods of high unemployment

‘Countries that are highly competitive tend also to be highly participatory with high

levels of social cohesion i.e. Nordic countries’

Effective strategies

Participatory Citizenship is primarily a learnt activity

Learning in all it diverse forms (from discussing politics with friends to formal education) relates to Participatory Citizenship

Learning improves quality of Participatory Citizenship (enhancing civic competences: knowledge, skills, attitudes & values)

European Union strategy

balanced in promoting both political participation as well as voluntary and community action in civil society

targeted in recognising and responding to the impact of the economic crisis at national and local level in member states

sufficiently flexible and long-term to encourage and promote collaborative working between EU institutions, member states and EU citizens

European Year of Citizens 2013

• A bottom-up approach with citizens involved in constructing and developing the programme and activities

• Opportunity for the EU institutions to listen to Citizens • Provide momentum for new Europe for Citizens

Programme and EP elections• Increase profile of Participatory Citizenship as a policy

priority• Needs sufficient funding to turn aims into reality for

citizens• Respond to the needs and interests of European

citizens

European Elections 2014

Explain to citizens why it is important that they vote:

not only to defend their individual legal rights

ensure the continued legitimacy of the EU and its institutions

to show their support for the common values of democracy, human rights, social cohesion and tolerance that underpin European citizenship

EU 2020 Smart Sustainable & Inclusive Growth

Balance in policy emphasis between Participatory Citizenship, social cohesion & economic competitiveness so that values & practices of democracy flourish

Long term challenges of competitiveness & climate change should be grounded in active involvement of and participation of citizens in order to safeguard future of democracy in Europe

• Reports available on Europe for Citizens website: http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/

• about-the-europe-for-citizens-programme/studies/index_en.htm

• Contact details:• Bryony Hoskins, University of Southampton • B.Hoskins@soton.ac.uk• David Kerr, Citizenship Foundation

David.Kerr@citizenshipfoundation.org.uk