A conference opens in Turkey today with the aim of strengthening social cohesion in Europe.
Ministers will gather to review the Council of Europe’s New Strategy and Action Plan for Social Cohesion, ahead of a final declaration on building a secure future for all, at the end of the two-day event.
In this podcast, Gilda Farrell, head of the Social Cohesion, Research and Early Warning Division, explains the work of the Council of Europe to strengthen social cohesion and assesses the impact of austerity, brought on by the financial crisis.
“Social cohesion is related to the idea of growth and democracy,” she says. “Now, we don’t have growth, so growth is no longer the element to guarantee cohesion, protection and security.”
The Essential
Podcast: Can Europe’s welfare systems survive the financial crisis?
News: OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria – “Social cohesion is at risk worldwide”
Information: Council of Europe ‘New Strategy and Action Plan for Social Cohesion’ (2010)
Website: Istanbul Ministerial Conference
