influencing eu policy development: points of entry for carers christine marking advisor to the...
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Influencing EU policy Influencing EU policy development: development:
points of entry for carerspoints of entry for carers
Christine MarkingChristine MarkingAdvisor to the Eurocarers ExecutiveAdvisor to the Eurocarers Executive
The EU and carersThe EU and carers
The EU and carersThe EU and carers
No formal or limited EU remit on health No formal or limited EU remit on health care systems, health care delivery, social care systems, health care delivery, social policiespolicies
Member States are responsible and want Member States are responsible and want to keep their power in these fieldsto keep their power in these fields
So: no power to directly address carers So: no power to directly address carers issues or put in place binding legislationissues or put in place binding legislation
However….However….
Carers issues Carers issues areare European issues European issues::
Decreasing informal care potential:Decreasing informal care potential:
Demographic ageing: increasing care Demographic ageing: increasing care need in all member statesneed in all member statesChanging family structures (fewer children, Changing family structures (fewer children, increasing mobility, more divorces)increasing mobility, more divorces)Increasing female labour market Increasing female labour market participationparticipation
Carers are a huge resourceCarers are a huge resource
The vast majority of care is being provided by The vast majority of care is being provided by relatives, neighbours and friendsrelatives, neighbours and friendsThis resource is the cornerstone of care This resource is the cornerstone of care provisionprovisionFree of charge: invisible contribution to Free of charge: invisible contribution to Member States’ economy and health care Member States’ economy and health care systemssystemsNot sufficiently recognised by EU and Not sufficiently recognised by EU and national policy measuresnational policy measures
Carers need supportCarers need support
If carers are expected to continue toIf carers are expected to continue to
care – and they are – concrete measures care – and they are – concrete measures need to be taken to support themneed to be taken to support them
Current and future EU points of entryCurrent and future EU points of entry
The Institutional TriangleThe Institutional Triangle
CommissionCommission
proposes
Parliament Council
amends/decides amends/decides
Current and future points of entryCurrent and future points of entry
Barroso’s policy guidelinesBarroso’s policy guidelinesPost Lisbon consultationPost Lisbon consultationEU Workforce for HealthEU Workforce for HealthAlzheimer CommunicationAlzheimer CommunicationOpen Method of Coordination (health/ltc)Open Method of Coordination (health/ltc)Mental healthMental healthEuropean Years European Years Health StrategyHealth StrategyHealth inequalitiesHealth inequalitiesThe PROGRESS programmeThe PROGRESS programmeCommunication long term care provision (2010)Communication long term care provision (2010)Employment StrategyEmployment Strategy
Barroso’s policy guidelinesBarroso’s policy guidelines
Set the scene for the coming 5 yearsSet the scene for the coming 5 years
Many references to ageing and Many references to ageing and demographic changedemographic change
Strong emphasis on employment and Strong emphasis on employment and social policiessocial policies
Post Lisbon consultationPost Lisbon consultation
Feeds in to priority setting in social and Feeds in to priority setting in social and employment fieldemployment field
Opportunity to advocate carers issues Opportunity to advocate carers issues (also via the European Parliament)(also via the European Parliament)
EU Workforce for healthEU Workforce for health
Consultation ‘Green Paper’ December Consultation ‘Green Paper’ December 20082008
Green Paper: no mention of carersGreen Paper: no mention of carers
Explicit recognition by CommissionerExplicit recognition by Commissioner
Eurocarers responseEurocarers response
Follow up White paper expectedFollow up White paper expected
Alzheimer CommunicationAlzheimer Communication
Presented by Commission July 09Presented by Commission July 09
Carers contribution recognisedCarers contribution recognised
Carers not mentioned under planned Carers not mentioned under planned actions actions
Open Method of CoordinationOpen Method of Coordination
Focus on social security and social Focus on social security and social exclusionexclusion
Strand on health and long term careStrand on health and long term care
Carers feature but not strong enoughCarers feature but not strong enough
Mental Health PactMental Health Pact
Activities in 5 areas:Activities in 5 areas:
- older people- older people
- young people- young people
- workplace mental health- workplace mental health
- depression and suicide- depression and suicide
- stigma- stigma
Carers not specifically mentionedCarers not specifically mentioned
Health strategyHealth strategy
Overarching framework for EU health Overarching framework for EU health activitiesactivities
Carers not mentioned but many points of Carers not mentioned but many points of entryentry
Will be evaluated in 2013Will be evaluated in 2013
Health inequalitiesHealth inequalities
Consultation on future actionConsultation on future action
PROGRESSPROGRESS
Brings together former separate action Brings together former separate action programmes on equal opportunities, social programmes on equal opportunities, social inclusion, anti discrimination, inclusion, anti discrimination, employment…employment…
Eurocarers applied for funding, but without Eurocarers applied for funding, but without successsuccess
European YearsEuropean Years
2010:2010: Social inclusionSocial inclusion
2011: 2011: VolunteeringVolunteering
2012: 2012: Active ageing and Solidarity Active ageing and Solidarity between the Generations (?)between the Generations (?)
Local, national, EU level actions possibleLocal, national, EU level actions possible
2010 Communication on long term 2010 Communication on long term carecare
Opportunity for proactive lobbyingOpportunity for proactive lobbying
Employment initiativesEmployment initiatives
European Employment strategyEuropean Employment strategy
‘‘Flexicurity’Flexicurity’
Employment GuidelinesEmployment Guidelines
Reconciliation of work and family lifeReconciliation of work and family life
What do we need to do?What do we need to do?
Active policy monitoring, analysis and responseActive policy monitoring, analysis and response
Be creative and seek points of entryBe creative and seek points of entry
Develop clear and focused policy messages and Develop clear and focused policy messages and positionspositions
Develop stakeholder links and cooperationDevelop stakeholder links and cooperation
Make use of the Interest Group (PQ’s, amending Make use of the Interest Group (PQ’s, amending reports, Written Declarations…)reports, Written Declarations…)
Communication (website, newsletter, contact Communication (website, newsletter, contact programmes..)programmes..)
Thank you!Thank you!
[email protected]@skynet.be