Linking welfare and work
The linking of welfare and work is now high on the social policy agenda
of Member States and the European Commission. Governments are seeking
to combine effective policies for the promotion of social inclusion and
a high level of social protection with a dynamic job-creating economy.
Increasingly, the focus is on social integration through work.
This challenge has been reflected in the Foundation's work over several years in particular the rethinking of social welfare and social protection systems, specifically in relation to employment and the labour market. Results from the Irish Presidency conference on New Directions in Social Welfare (1996) stressed the profound need for better coordination of welfare and employment policies at all institutional levels.
The journal, 'Linking Welfare and Work' a series of papers commissioned by the Foundation shows the complexities of this relationship
The Foundation report, Integrated approaches to active welfare and employment policies, presents an analysis of initiatives in all 15 Member States that aim to achieve better coordination of employment activation measures.
Published in June 2002, it was the focus of a jointly organised conference with the Spanish Presidency held on 17/18 June in Toledo. A resumé of the research, and a series of national reports are also available:
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom.
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