SOLIDAR: Empowering people through non-formal and informal learning

SOLIDAR launches the new briefing paper “Empowering people through non-formal and informal learning”, defining the practical approach to Building Learning Societies. The briefing paper highlights how non-formal and informal learning in a community-based setting actively combats the challenges our societies face today – and empowers people to fully participate in society in a democratic, social, economic and cultural way in order to find new pathways for the future.

http://www.solidar.org/IMG/pdf/63_empowering_people_through_nfil.pdf

Employment and Social Developments: Annual Review highlights need to address risks of in-work poverty

A significant increase in poverty among the working age population is one of the most tangible social consequences of the economic crisis. A gradual reduction of unemployment levels may not be enough to reverse this situation if wage polarisation continues, notably due to a rise in part-time work. This is one of the main findings of the 2013 Employment and Social Developments in Europe Review, which also looks into the positive impact of social benefits on the likelihood of getting back into employment, the consequences of persistent gender imbalances, and the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union.

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-43_en.htm

EESC opinion on Minimum Income calls for a European Framework Directive

On the 10^th December the EESC opinion on minimum income and poverty indicators, an own initiative report (SOC/482) promoted by Mr Dassis (Workers Group II/Greece) with co-rapporteur Mr Boland (Various interests – GR III/Ireland) was approved in the plenary session. EAPN has been actively involved in providing input to the opinion, in two hearings and by written input. The opinion was presented by the EESC in the EMIN seminar in Paris on the 9^th October. The opinion includes a call for ‘’ a European framework directive that would extend minimum income schemes to all Member States, improve the adequacy of existing schemes, taking into account national contexts’.. the proposed directive should ‘ set common standards and indicators’ and to examine the funding possibilities for a European Minimum Income in particular setting up an appropriate European Fund’. It builds on the demand made by Committee of the Regions opinion on the European Platform Against Poverty (OJ C 1666, 7.6.2011 p.18). The EESC opinion can be accessed in MS languages at: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.soc-opinions.26780

Access opinion in English EESC Opinion on Minimum Income

Source: European Minimum Income Network (EMIN) http://emin-eu.net

Joint Publication by Russia's G20 Presidency and the OECD

Jointly published by Russia's G20 Presidency and the OECD, Advancing National Strategies for Financial Education monitors progress by the governments of the world’s major economies in implementing national strategies for improving financial education. It includes contributions by twenty one G20 member economies and invited countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, People’s Republic of China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States) as well as the European Union. (Chapter 23 “European Union: Financial Education, an Essential Element of a Functioning Single Market”)