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UNDP WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL INCLUSION, VILNIUS 26TH APRIL 2004

Identifying synergies & differences between the EU's

Social Inclusion Process and the UNDP's MDG Agenda

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONDG Employment and Social Affairs

Hugh Frazer, National Expert, Social protection and inclusion policies

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Overall Message

• Important similarities & potential for cooperation

but also• significant differences in approach and

ambition thus• need to be realistic: co-operation &

complementarity rather than joint actions

Similarities - 1

• shared aspiration – elimination of poverty• economic growth AND social development

– poverty reduction and social development key to sustaining economic and social progress

– Lisbon policy triangle

• mainstreaming for action• multi-dimensional approach• prevention and alleviation• long-term approach (2015 and 2010)

Similarities - 2

• importance of data and indicators

• regular monitoring, reporting & comparing (national/horizontal)

• exchange and learning

• subsidiarity

• mobilisation of all actors

Differences

• MDGs focus more on extreme poverty and thus have more "basic" goals

• MDGs focus more on most excluded whereas OMC focuses on inclusion of all

• MDGs targets already set – OMC Member States set own targets

• Employment and Institutional issues feature more in OMC than in MDGs

• Environmental sustainablity & global partnership for development more in MDGs than in OMC

MDGs cf Common Objectives

MDG1. Eradicate extreme

poverty and hunger– halve numbers on less than

$1 per day– halve between 1990 and

2015 the proportion of people who suffer hunger

OMC• make a decisive impact on

eradication of poverty by 2010

• organise social protection systems so as to: guarantee that everyone has resources to live life in accordance with human dignity

• help the most vulnerable

MDGs cf Common Objectives

MDG2. Achieve universal

primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women– eliminate gender

disparity in education

OMC• effective access to

education for people at risk of exclusion

• mainstream equality between men and women in all actions aimed at achieving objectives

MDGs cf Common Objectives

MDG4. Reduce child

mortality– by 2/3 for under 5s by

2015

5. Improve maternal health– reduce maternal

morality ratio by 2/3

OMC• elimination of social

exclusion among children

• access for all to healthcare appropriate to their situation

MDGs cf Common Objectives

MDG6. Combat HIV/AIDS and other

diseases– halt/reverse spread by 2015

7. Ensure environmental sustainability- integrate principles of sustainable development- safe drinking water- improvement in lives of slum dwellers

OMC• access for all to healthcare

appropriate to their situation

• provide access for all to decent and sanitary housing as well as basic services (electricity, water, heating, etc.)

• help the most vulnerable: comprehensive actions in areas marked by exclusion

MDGs cf Common Objectives

MDG

8. Develop a global partnership for development

OMC

EU Common Objectives not directly relating to areas covered by MDGs

• Facilitating participation in employment– access to stable and quality employment for all

• pathways and training for most vulnerable groups

• reconciliation of work and family life (incl. care)

• using social economy

– preventing exclusion from world of work by improving employability

EU Common Objectives not directly reflected by MDGs

• Facilitating access to resources, rights, goods and services– organise social protection so as to improve employability and

make work pay – ensure effective access of people at risk of exclusion to justice and

other public and private services such as culture, sport and leisure

• Preventing the risks of exclusion– by exploiting the potential of the knowledge based society and

ICT (esp. re disability)– through policies to prevent life crises (e.g. indebtedness, exclusion

from school, homelessness)– preserving family solidarity

Aspects of EU Common Objectives not directly reflected by MDGs

• Helping the most vulnerable– integration of those facing persistent poverty,

especially people with a disability and immigrants

EU Common Objectives not directly reflected by MDGs

• Mobilising all relevant bodies– participation of people suffering exclusion– dialogue and partnership between all relevant bodies

• involve NGOs and service providers• social responsibility and engagement of all citizens• social responsibility of business

– mainstreaming poverty & social exclusioninto overall policy

• mobilise national, regional and local authorities• develop appropriate coordination procedures and structures• adapt administrative and social services

Contribution of UNDP and MDGs to JIM Process

• raise awareness of poverty and social exclusion

• promote policy development and target setting

• build capacity– officials– NGOs

• better data and reports

The Future - What MDGs can bring to OMC Process in EU 25

• Overall MDGs unlikely to bring significant added value to OMC & EU15 after enlargement

but• Complementary & reinforcing messages • Emphasis on most excluded

– shared interest in better data & indicators & improved monitoring of groups most at risk

but• avoid "dumbing down" and lower ambition• avoid reinforcing becoming duplication

The Future - candidate and applicant candidate countries

MDGs can make significant contribution to OMC process

• preparation for JIMs and NAPs/inclusion– awareness raising– poverty eradication strategies– data and reporting– capacity building

• transfer of knowledge, experience and resources from existing Member States