EMPLOYMENT AND THE CHURCHES On 27-29 February 2008, the Church and Society Commission of CEC together with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the European Contact Group (ECG) held a Consultation on “Employment and the Churches in Europe”. The Consultation included a Dialogue Seminar with the European Commission on “Flexicurity from a Values Perspective”, which was co-organised with COMECE and the Bureau of European Policy Advisors. The main speakers at the Dialogue Seminar were Mr Vladimir Spidla, the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, and Mr Jan Figel, the Commissioner for Education and Culture. Recognising that globalisation, demographic, technological and labour market developments are challenging Europeans to reflect on a more flexible labour market and measures for increased protection of the social rights of employees, the Dialogue Seminar concluded that while recognising the achievement of common principles on flexicurity there is a still a long way to go in order to translate commonly shared values into concerted policies. The dignity of the human being and protection of the most vulnerable in the labour market must be the starting point of the implementation measures. If you are interested in receiving further information on our activities related to employment issues, please contact csc@cec-kek.be. The following are the documents from the Consultation: Programme and List of Participants EU Documents and Statements on Flexicurity and Labour Law Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity: More and better jobs through flexibility and security - The Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Council Conclusions (6 December 2007): Common Principles of Flexicurity - Committee and the Committee of the Regions Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity Council Meeting on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (29 February 2008): Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Flexicurity Pathways - Turning hurdles into stepping stones, Report by the European Expert Group on Flexicurity Church and Society Commission Briefing paper - “Flexicurity”: European Union’s programme to modernise labour law Employment and Labour Market Policy The role of the Europe - Dr. Sigried Caspar "Flexicurity, from a values perspective" Ján Figel’— Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth BEPA Seminar on Flexicurity - Commissioner Ján Figel' Panel intervention - Armindo Silva, Acting Director, Social dialogue, social rights, working conditions and adaptation to change, DG EMPL, European Commission Conclusion - Frédéric Lerais Statements from the Churches and other Stakeholders Contribution of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches(CEC) in cooperation with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the European Contact Group (ECG) to the Green Paper on 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century' Contribution to the Consultation on the European Commission's Green Paper on Economic Migration the Green Paper on 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century' Press Release 28 February 2008 - Churches encourage the European Union towards a much broader approach to employment polices. Dialogue with EU Commissioners Ján Figel’ and Vladimir Spidia - On the eve of the meeting of the Council of the European Union on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, representatives and experts from the Churches in Europe discussed today in Brussels with the European institutions the modernisation of European employment policies, which shall provide a mutually supportive combination of security and flexibility, called “flexicurity”... Pathways into the Labour Market for People Experiencing Social Exclusion - Caritas Europa Flexicurity: the new cure for Europe’s labour market problems? - Maarten Keune Berufliche Qualifizierung und Weiterbildung als Schwerpunkte des Flexicurity-Modells - PhDr. Mgr. Margita Marková Precarious work situations - Rev. Juha Mattila, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Supporting migrants in a changing labour market - Christian Popescu Abstract - ‘Flexicurity’ – mankind must be at its heart - Bishop Ludwig Schwarz SDB, Linz Flexibilität und Sicherheit – der Mensch muss im Zentrum stehen - Bischof Ludwig Schwarz SDB Employment Policies – Challenges for the Churches from the Values Perspective of the Christian Churches in Europe - Gerhard Wegner Europäische Beschäftigungspolitik - Herausforderung für die Kirchen Aus der Werte-Perspektive der Kirchen in Europa - Gerhard Wegner