EU - Round table on Social Exclusion

Århus, 17 – 18. October 2002

Opening session

Norwegian Minister for Social Affairs

Mrs. Ingjerd Schou:

Chair, Fellow Ministers, Commissioner(s), Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

First of all, I would like to thank my fellow Danish Minister Ms. Henriette Kjær, for inviting me to this first European Round Table on Social Exclusion. Opening on the World Poverty Day (17 October) the Conference will focus on progress of the European strategy to combat poverty. I would like to underline from the start that Norway shares the common objectives with the EU Member States as regards to

the future of the social welfare systems,

the sustainability of pensions and

the need to strengthen social integration.

These are among my main concerns as Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs.

By means of the open method of co-ordination the EU countries have already come a step further "to create a more prosperous and dynamic Europe at the service of its citizens".

Comments on what is happening in the EU-countries:

By the Lisbon process the European Union has added a social dimension to its economic and employment aims for 2010. The present Norwegian government has committed itself to take action to combat poverty in our own country, and in an international context with our European partners. We aim at a more targeted and flexible approach in our welfare policy.

In this respect we share the new qualitative approach of the European Union recognising social welfare policy and social cohesion as a productive tool and not simply an item of expenditure. Development of sustainable economic systems and social welfare development goes hand in hand.

The fact remains that Norway is not a member of the EU, nor is membership on the present political agenda. The Norwegian Government respects, of course, the result of the referendum in 1994. T his does not prevent us from takeing an active approach to Europe. We will use any opportunity to participate through the EEA Agrement, both in relevant EU-legislation and in programmes.

I have kept an eye on the developments in the field of social inclusion in the EU, ever since the introduction of a specific legal base (article 137) in the Amsterdam Treaty. Another important step stone was the Lisbon Summit in 2000 when EU launched the ambitious objective in terms of poverty reduction by 2010. Norway has closely observed subsequent developments, in particular the setting up of common objectives and common indicators in this field.

About Norways participation in the program:

This conference takes place when Norway has just entered into the Community Programme to fight poverty and social exclusion, and I am pleased that we are finally participating in the Programme. In particular I appreciate that Norway participates on an equal footing within the programme’s framework. I look forward to the mutual learning and networking being facilitated through the Programme. It will certainly provide Norwegian authorities and NGOs with an excellent opportunity to build and develop European partnerships in the social field.

About EUs extension:

From this autumn the candidate countries, like Norway, participate in the Social Exclusion Programme. From a Norwegian perspective the forthcoming enlargement is highly welcomed. I would like to use this opportunity to mention my Government’s Plan of Action on collaboration with the candidate countries. We feel that the anticipated admission of 10 new countries in 2004, followed later by additional entrants, is a strong sign of solidarity with less affluent neighbours. This will extend the nature of the EU project to a virtually all-European venture. It will provide a platform for further poverty reduction in all European countries.

About the Norwegian combat plan:

The Norwegian Government has just launched a Norwegian Action Plan to combat Poverty and Social Exclusion. Our Plan has partly been inspired by the National Action Plans initiated by EU. This means that we will build on the same policy tools and social indicators as the individual plans of the 15 member states. By such an approach we will ensure that learning and knowledge will be shared between us all. We will guide and monitor future steps towards a society where the risks and burdens of poverty and social exclusion are minimised.

The Action Plan was presented on 4 October and is an historic event. For the first time since the depression of the 1930’ies, a Norwegian government in office has put poverty on the political agendat.

Norway is said to be one of best countries in the world to live in, and most Norwegians have a high standard of living. Still, a small minority lives in "poverty". Poverty in Norway is different from "poverty" in the traditional (and international) meaning of the word. We also have few poor people compared to other industrialised countries. This is due to a low unemployment rate, and a well-developed social security system.

Poverty in Norway does not affect massive and easily identified groups, but rather individuals with various backgrounds. There are numerous reasons why people may drive into poverty. To live on a poverty line in a society with a high standard of living – is being perceived as an additional burden. My government’s vision is that no one should live in such poverty in Norway. We will prevent and eliminate all forms of poverty by taking action to help those (90.000 people out of a population of 4.5 mill.) living in persistent poverty. That is with an income lower than half of the median income. A package of comprehensive measures to reduce and prevent poverty has been proposed for 2003. Among the measures are dialogue with volontary organisations, research institutions and the users. The amount of this package is adding up to about 46,1 mill. Euro (335 mill. kr.)

Children are far more vulnerable and exposed to risks associated with poverty and social exclusion than grown-ups are. Recent national reports show that some children and youths in Norway grow up in families with low income over an extended period of time. These children may not be able to participate in the same activities as other children. It is therefore crucial to strengthening the parents’ attachment to working life.

A gender perspective should be acknowledged as a fundamental dimension in order to design and implement successful measures to secure inclusion in working life and society.

Addressing such questions has to be based on social indicators that will provide more specific knowledge about the living conditions of important target groups. Furthermore, we must combine more knowledge about current services and benefits with tailored measures to meet the needs of poor people in general. This calls for a more systematic and profound review of the functioning of our welfare system.

However, poverty cannot be removed merely by increased knowledge in itself. I strongly believe that we cannot overestimate the role of non-profit and non-governmental organisations as well as the role of the social partners.

My Government has therefore taken on the role of mobilising and strengthening the NGO’s and other important actors operating in this field. The Government alone, neither in Norway, nor in any other country can solve these problems. The role of the social partners and the NGO’s will be reflected in a national co-ordinating body for the participation in the Community Action Programme.

Conclusion:

We fully recognise that Norway has a common challenge with the Union in raising the employment rates for groups that have a weak attachment to working life. The situation in Norway right now is that 10 % per cent of the working age population receives a disability pension. This situation calls for rather drastic measures, in terms of improving coherence and co-ordination between social welfare policies and labour market policies.

Participating in the European dialogue to combat Social Exclusion will allow Norway to build new partnerships and coalitions in the social field in Europe, and will provide us with a completely new platform to fight poverty and social exclusion.

Therefore, I have great expectations for the discussions and the outcome of this Conference.

Thank you.