Jagland sets Europe's "social" agenda

"Necessary and understandable" austerity measures should not undermine Europe's social contract, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland declared today

 

He told the 21st Congress session that: “Europe’s financial and fiscal crisis is starting to have an impact on social cohesion as well as on public trust in our democratic institutions.

"In such challenging times, exposed citizens living in economically fragile regions, youth and elderly people, migrants and Roma are affected the most.

"Radical measures are being taken in many countries to balance public budgets. This is both necessary and understandable. But at the same time, countries are running a high risk of undermining the European model of social cohesion."

More information 

Jagland: Europe's 'Prince Charles Syndrome' Alienates Young People

Governments must resist the ‘Prince Charles syndrome’ and listen seriously to young people’s frustration if they are to maintain social cohesion, Thorbjørn Jagland warned today.

Speaking at the opening of the Forum For Democracy in Limassol Cyprus, the Secretary General pointed to the “staggeringly high” youth unemployment as fuel for discontent. He said that young people have expectations all too often ignored because they are considered “citizens in the making” who can wait their turn.

More information 

Interview: Ivana Alessandro on biodiversity and human rights

In this interview, the Council of Europe’s Ivana D’Alessandro discusses the quickening pace of biodiversity degradation in Europe.

She also outlines the work of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, better known as the Bern Convention, which over the past 32 years has become a pillar of the international legal architecture.

It is the first international treaty to bring countries together on nature and conservation issues in order to protect both species and habitats.

More on this story

Jagland urges Europe to 'practice what it preaches' in the Mediterranean region

Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland has challenged Europe to practice what it preaches in its relations with neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region.

In his 9 September speech to the Bled Strategic Forum, Jagland expressed his fear that  Europe’s  neighbours might not heed calls for more tolerant and inclusive politics if it could not cope with its own multicultural societies.