SocialEurope: More Freedoms More Opportunities

It’s a great pleasure for me to see so many young politicians from the European Peoples Party movement gathered here in Oslo. Welcome to all of you!

Creating a Social Europe – with more freedoms and more opportunities for all! That’s a great vision!

In political leadership we need a genuine value based approach to find the right answers.

To quote a young Norwegian philosopher, Henrik Syse:

“There are more types of values than those represented on the Stock Exchange.”

I believe that Christian-Democratic values provide an excellent foundation for political leadership. In our Christian heritage there are some key values that are not only relevant to our life as individuals, but also in a wider context. Let me mention some of them:

• The respect for human life and dignity – and human freedom.
• The idea of stewardship – responsible management of resources that we are entrusted.
• The commandment to “love thy neighbour as thyself” – which is a claim of solidarity going beyond your own social class and national borders.
• The recognition of the family institution as a fundamental basis of society.

The combination of democratic decision-making and these fundamental values is the core of Christian Democracy. It gives us an ideological platform that is unique.

On this basis, we build societies of freedom and justice, of human rights and the state of law, of prosperity and peace.

On this basis, we promote responsible resource management, just distribution and sustainable development.

On this basis, we have built-in correctives to the temptations every elite and ruling power is exposed to – that is to understand the needs of society from the privileged classes’ point of view instead of the underprivileged.

Let me use this opportunity to remind you, as young and talented politicians, that applying a value based approach to political service does have radical implications. The core of them may be summarized in this sentence:

- Christian Democrats must always be on the side of the poor and oppressed.

That’s why I advice you to add two words - More freedoms – more opportunities for all.

That must be our vision, in national politics, in European politics and in global politics.

With this commitment in mind, we must remember that politics is more than a power game. The core of politics in my view is to serve our citizens, to serve our fellow human beings.

If politics becomes a game, played for no other purpose than winning the next election, it will no longer be true politics. Unfortunately, too many people believe that politicians are like Groucho Marx, who said,

“Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others.”

As the quotation indicates, to exchange principles for popularity might be a temptation. It’s at the core of populism. We must offer something else. We must offer clear values and strong commitment!

* * *

Let me now approach the headlines for this conference from another angle.

Many people want more freedom, but less responsibility. This is the theme of the play The Lady from the Sea by my countryman Henrik Ibsen. The main character is given her freedom, but she is also reminded of her responsibilities. In this age of growing personal freedom I believe this reminder is as important today as it was when the play was written – more than hundred years ago.

I draw one conclusion from this: - Do not only talk about “more freedoms – more opportunities”, talk about more freedoms – and more responsibilities.

For us – Christian Democratic politicians – this is a must.

If you forget it, you may still be a politician, but not a Christian Democratic one.

* * *

One of my political commitments is to fight for an inclusive society. I think that this should be a key perspective also in your attempts to set up a programme for a social Europe. Let me give you some reflections on this.

An inclusive concept of Europe

Many people, when they talk about Europe, are only thinking about the European Union. However, the concept of Europe must not be mixed with the extension of EU. Such fallacies only lead to intellectual confusion.

Pan-European institutions like the Council of Europe and the OSCE clearly demonstrate that Europe is indeed more. These two bodies also include a number of countries that are not members of the EU. As regards the Council of Europe this applies to twenty countries. It should be remembered that the map of Europe includes Iceland in the western part, Russia in the east, Norway on the northern frontier and goes from Portugal to Turkey in the south.

An inclusive Europe does require flexible co-operation structures where all European states can participate.

Let me take Norway as an example. The fact that Norway is not a member of the EU does not mean that we are not pro-European. On the contrary, we have actively participated in and supported closer co-operation between countries in Europe, in particular within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

Today, Norway is part of the internal market through the European Economic Area Agreement. We thus share in the vast single market of more than 375 million people.

Unlike some EU Member States, such as Ireland and the United Kingdom, Norway also participates in European co-operation on unrestricted travel and common external border controls in the Schengen area.

These are concrete examples of the flexibility that is needed in European co-operation, which enables individual countries to choose different solutions.

Inclusive solidarity

An inclusive Europe is a community showing broad and inclusive solidarity.

In a family we learn to take care of each other.

In each country we have developed a sense of solidarity resulting in massive systems for redistribution and social security networks. Europe has many well-developed welfare states.

Solidarity across national borderlines is less developed, but there are a lot of manifestations of it. Collective defence in NATO is one. The US Marshall Aid to Europe after the Second World War is another. The development aid from industrialised countries to poor countries is yet another.

The more remote people in need are, the more reluctant we seem to show real solidarity. International solidarity is a crucial test for modern Europe. We must not become an inward-looking and egocentric continent. We must reach out a hand to those who are less fortunate.

Each nation must take her responsibility. Norway is no exception. My government has responded to this challenge. Each year we have proposed to increase the Norwegian development aid budget, not only in real figures but also as a percentage of our increasing Gross National Product. Two days ago, my Government proposed a 10 % increase in the aid budget – giving Norway a top position internationally among donor countries. Our aid budget is now close to one percent of GNP. And – we want to continue this escalation of solidarity in coming budgets.

I challenge you to be advocates for a similar escalation in your own countries!

Norway actively supports European solidarity. We contribute significant human and financial resources to stability and development in Europe, too. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but we surely want to be a constructive partner in Europe. During the next years we will contribute over 225 million Euro annually to the enlargement of the EU and the EEA. The Norwegian financial contributions to the new member-states are – per capita – larger than those of any EU country except Luxembourg. Our EFTA/EEA partners also will contribute substantial funds.

Inclusive democracy

It should be obvious that everyone must be able to have a say in what goes on in our societies. Yet, in today’s Europe this is not always the case. Exclusion is one of our greatest challenges.

For example, there are all those who do not take part in our democratic processes. Election turnout is falling in most European countries. The falling turnout was clearly demonstrated in the elections to the European Parliament last summer. The popular participation in these elections has been falling constantly since they were introduced. This year, less than half of the people used their right to vote. Young voters were also few.

You, as young politicians, should be the first to be alarmed by this fact and ask for the reasons why. Low participation is one of many signs that people are feeling excluded. We must vitalise our democracies!

An inclusive labour market

Our challenge is to create a society where everyone feels a valued part of the community. The labour market is an important entry to participation in society, but not everyone succeeds in this market. Those capable of working must receive help to find decent employment, and those incapable of working must be assisted by a social security system that confirms their human dignity.

I am proud to say that the government and the social partners in Norway have made an agreement on a more inclusive workplace. To build an inclusive society we must give jobs and opportunities to vulnerable groups. The agreement is based on a common recognition that those with special needs have an essential place in society. It is an example of the kind of partnership we need to fight exclusion.

Two indicators show whether we succeed. Our objectives are high employment, and low unemployment.

In 2003, 76 per cent of the population between ages 15 and 64 was employed in Norway. This is 10 percentage points higher than the EU average. Among the OECD countries, only Iceland and Switzerland had higher labour force participation rates than Norway. Compared to other countries, Norway has a particularly high participation rate among older employees and women.

This is a good basis for creating the economic values we need to finance the welfare society of the future.

Unemployment in Norway is low by international standards. In 2003, unemployment in the EU was 8 per cent - twice the figure for Norway. Our unemployment is, however, still too high, and my government is combating it on a broad front. Our policies now give results. Unemployment is falling. The number of employed has increased by 10.000 since the beginning of the year. We are on the right track.

Don’t believe those who claim that only left wing parties really care about employment.

It’s false propaganda.

We are proving it in Norway – right now!

Inclusive societies and the welfare state

Most of the countries of Western Europe deserve the notion “welfare states”. Most welfare states in Europe also share the same challenges today. One of them is the demographic change that is taking place. An increasing part of the population will be old people in need of pensions and medical treatment. A shrinking part of the population will constitute the active labour force financing the welfare systems. Pension systems throughout Europe must be reformed to be financially sustainable.

This must not be used as an excuse to weaken the priority of social welfare systems. Instead, they must be reformed and renewed to become strong enough to meet future challenges.

Our general welfare measures have lifted large groups of the population out of poverty connected to illness and unemployment, and contributed to social and economic security. The Norwegian Government annually spends more than NOK 300 billion on various forms of welfare measures.

However, some people still live in a situation marked by poverty. Among them are victims of drugs and alcohol, persons without stable housing conditions and some single parents and immigrants. They are not sufficiently covered by the general social security network. We also need more well-targeted measures.

Since we took office, my Government has put the fight against poverty high on its policy agenda. We launched a plan of action to fight poverty in our midst. Since 2002 spending on new and targeted measures against poverty have risen annually. Next year they will amount to around NOK 1.2 billion, in addition to the general welfare measures already in place.

We must never forget those in need, even if they may not be many and well organised.

We must care, and we do!

InclusiveEurope– public health and alcohol and drugs

In the Nordic countries we have managed to keep health problems and accidents caused by misuse of alcohol on a low level because of restrictive policies and high taxes. This has reduced consumption and thereby alcohol-related problems. To some Nordic countries the enlargement of EU has had a negative effect in this regard because cheap alcohol has become available right across the borders within EU 25. Instead of increasing social problems, EU should try to reduce them.

Nordic ministers of health have taken an initiative to do something with this problem. A first step could be to reduce tax-free quotas between EU countries. In the framework of “Social Europe”, you could address the problem, too.

Inclusive societies must stop exclusion through harassment

Let me turn your attention to another social problem – that of harassment and social exclusion.

Some immigrants are victims to racism, discrimination and harassment because of the colour of their skin or their ethnic background. That’s not acceptable.

In Europe we still see examples of antisemittism and harassment of Jews. It cannot be tolerated!

I am very worried by the current tendency towards polarisation and extremism. This is linked with the problem of exclusion, and often carries with it elements of scapegoat thinking. Scapegoat thinking also shows itself in everyday life through harassment of pupils in schools, among people at the workplace and on the street.

Sadly, our society has developed a certain tolerance of this phenomenon. But harassment is something we must not tolerate. I have put the question of harassment on the political agenda in Norway. We have launched a public campaign against bullying and for inclusion. We have focused especially on the situation in the schools. The response from the Norwegian public is overwhelmingly positive. New figures show that these efforts now give results – numbers of harassment are shrinking. In this way, life is made easier to many young people.

We must care, and we do!

InclusiveEuropeand religious dialogue

Let me also shortly comment on a challenge that is especially close to my heart – the need for dialogue and in particular dialogue between cultures and between religions.

We should not let differences in culture or beliefs take a negative direction, and develop into conflict.

Extremists and populist movements are exploiting people’s fear of “those who are not like us”. We can see the consequences in the form of terrorism and racially motivated violence.

To fight terrorism more effectively we must also address the root causes. They linked to hatred, humiliation and fanaticism. We must instead foster tolerance and understanding.

I am convinced that by discussing the similarities and differences between the various religions, we will be able to identify common values such as peace, human dignity and respect for what is sacred. There is a basis for reconciliation.

In some of my travels abroad I have had meetings with the leaders of a number of different religions. I have done this in Sarajevo, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Cairo, New York and Geneva.

In many conflicts religion is regarded as part of the problem. In my view, it should be the other way around. Religion must become part of the solution. This is true - not only in the Middle East and the Balkans, but also in Africa and on other continents.

There has always been cultural diversity in Europe, but in our time – in the era of globalisation – changes are occurring faster than ever before. Even countries with traditionally homogeneous populations, like my own country, have become increasingly multicultural. This development has great possibilities, but it also challenges us to take the initiative to promote understanding.

We must promote mutual understanding, not uniformity. Europe is not, and must not become, a homogenous continent where Istanbul is similar to Reykjavik, and Lisbon to Moscow. In the Europe of to-day, places even a few kilometres apart have different customs, attitude and traditions. We must not allow these differences to vanish. The strength of Europe is its diversity.

You are all young politicians.

Tomorrow, you will be among the leaders of your countries.

I hope for your strong contribution to value based policies for a Social Europe – for an inclusive Europe!