Communiqué, issue 2, 2004
Articles
- Less satisfaction with health services in the ACC
- Moderate pay increases across Europe in 2003
- Stable year for industrial relations
- Advisor bids farewell to the Foundation
- 71st Administrative Board meeting
- Promoting EU-level social policy
- Major differences in collectively agreed holidays across Europe
- Increase in number of web users
- Living to work – working to live
Previous issues of Communiqué
After 27 years spent promoting better living and working conditions in Europe, Foundation advisor Wendy O’Conghaile is retiring. Her plans for the future include devoting time and energy to projects in her local Dublin community.
When Wendy O’Conghaile came to the Foundation in 1977, she was
on leave of absence from the European Commission, where she had been
working on information systems related to the social aspects of agriculture.
Little did she know that she was to remain for almost three decades and
was destined to play a pivotal role in shaping the work programmes and
operations of the EU’s oldest decentralised agency.
Initially, her work involved research into working conditions. She then
moved on to tackle issues of unemployment and social cohesion. In latter
years, as highly-regarded advisor to the Directorate, Wendy O’Conghaile
put her considerable talents and experience to the task of developing
the Foundation’s four-year rolling programmes and annual programmes
of work. She was also responsible for executing and overseeing the first
external evaluation of the Foundation in 2001-2.
Putting the Foundation on the map
The improvement of living and working conditions is not a new concept in the European arena, according to Wendy O’Conghaile, since this goal was a founding aim of the European Community, enshrined in the 1957 Treaty of Rome. However, the Foundation plays a special role in the building of a social Europe, not by being directly involved in the EU decision-making process but rather as a provider of essential information and a promoter of new ideas.
‘The Foundation has played an increasingly important role over the past three decades in drawing attention to the problems faced by EU citizens, workers and companies, and in highlighting opportunities for the social actors to improve quality of life and work,’ says Wendy O’Conghaile. ‘Without the skills and strong commitment of the people at the Foundation, it would not be possible to carry out this complex and fascinating task. I am happy to have been part of the good work we have done and continue to do here.’
Working in tandem with the European Social Agenda
Wendy O’Conghaile asserts that while the Foundation’s regulation has remained unchanged since its inception, the scope of its work, its networks and activities have altered radically. The social partners have always played a central role in the work of the Foundation and, together with the Commission and the Member State governments, they have given it a greater capacity to achieve its mandate. With the knowledge, experience and contact networks accumulated over time, the Foundation’s reputation has increasingly broadened its target audiences. The establishment of the EMCC in 2001, for example, brought on a stronger company dimension and a more direct link to the actual workplace. ‘The Foundation has turned from a being a research body to a knowledge centre, where research is a key tool enabling the Foundation to monitor, analyse and anticipate change,’ says Wendy O’Conghaile. ‘The result is a more timely, more interactive, more relevant response to current issues and future challenges facing an enlarging Europe.’
A challenging working environment
‘It has been a privilege to work, with the ongoing support of my colleagues in the staff, the Administrative Board and the research community, on issues and goals that are close to one’s own personal values,’ concludes Wendy O’Conghaile. ‘I will miss the Foundation’s cross-cultural environment, and the feeling of being part of a movement that can make a difference.’