| Résumé : |
Foreword :
On 1 March 2017, the European Commission presented a White Paper on the future of Europe. It marked the starting point for a wide debate on the future European Union with 27 Member States.
’We want a Union where citizens have new opportunities for cultural and social development and economic growth’, the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017 pledged on the occasion of
Europe’s 60th birthday. In the past six decades, European integration has been very successful in creating those opportunities for all its citizens and in pushing social standards up for each and every
Member State. In spite of its extraordinary achievements, challenges persist across Europe. The economic crisis has left deep marks in people’s lives and in our societies. People are questioning whether the benefits and the challenges that come with open markets and societies, with innovation and technological shifts, are evenly spread. Their trust in Europe’s ability to shape the future and to deliver fair and prosperous societies has been eroded. Our shared social aspiration is one way to regain support and take control of our future. Europe is home to the most equal societies in the world — a reality that is hugely valued across the Union. Even though differences in economic development and social traditions between countries remain, we have increasingly strengthened both individual and collective social rights and improved cooperation with social partners at European and national levels. The EU framework has pushed the momentum for more effective policies and more equitable social outcomes. Looking ahead, the debate should be about how to adapt our social models to current and future challenges and galvanise Europe’s social spirit. This reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe is the European Commission’s contribution to this discussion. It maps out the trends and challenges and, most importantly, opens avenues on how to turn our aspirations into a reality, how to empower Europeans for the world in 2025 and how to make our societies stronger and more adaptable.
The economic, social and political case for asocial Europe is solid. What we need is to build a consensus on its future shape.
We have so much to fight for and a lot to think about. |
Reflection paper on the Social Dimension of Europe (2017)
