Communiqué, issue 6, 2003
Articles
- 2004 programme presents challenges and opportunities
- Spotlight on social policy for Irish EU Presidency
- Local partnerships can boost social inclusion
- Reaping the gains of industrial change
- Use of IT in publishing and media
- Cross-border coordination in the EU motor sector
- Better employment prospects for ill, disabled
- Web user survey results
- New working conditions observatory takes shape
Previous issues of Communiqué
More and better jobs, as well as greater social cohesion, are some of the foremost social policy goals of the Irish government during its six-month EU Presidency, which starts on 1 January 2004. The Presidency will draw on the Foundation’s knowledge and expertise in the social policy arena during this period.
Adequate levels of social protection and work incentive policies are essential to achieve the criteria set out in the Lisbon Agenda. One of the thematic strands to be tackled by the Irish Presidency is shaping the workplace of the future. Less hierarchical work, ‘flexicurity’, improving skills, lifelong learning, participation and different work preferences. These are all practical examples of how best to support workplace change and adapt to the future.
But how are companies across the European Union facing up to the future? The Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, and the Foundation are coorganising a conference entitled ‘Adaptability and adjustment to change’ in Dublin on 26-27 February 2004. The key focus of this conference is on the organisational features that enhance innovations and how they are nurtured and sustained.
The Foundation is involved in several other Irish Presidency events:
| Date | Location | Theme |
| 1-2 April | Bundoran, Co Donegal | Reconciling mobility and social inclusion: the role of employment and social policy |
| 13-14 May | Dublin Castle | Families, change and social policy in Europe |
| 16-18 June | Burlington Hotel, Dublin | Delivering quality and access to social care and health in an enlarged Europe |