New Strategy and Council of Europe Action Plan for Social Cohesion/Nouvelle stratégie et Plan d'action du Conseil de l'Europe pour la cohésion sociale [antikvár]

I. Introduction1 The Council of Europe defines social cohesion as the capacity of a society to ensure thewell-being of all its members - minimising disparities and avoiding marginalisation - to managedifferences and divisions and ensure the means of achieving welfare for all members. Socialcohesion is a political concept that is essential for the fulfilment of the three core values of theCouncil of Europe: human rights, democracy and the rule of law.2.The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 to promote the values of peace, democracy,human rights and dignity, and to work for stable democratic institutions that offer governmentsand citizens a reliable legal framework. It is therefore the only pan-European forum for discussingthe changes European societies are undergoing, and for setting a Europe-wide agenda with anemphasis on social rights, social policy and social cohesion based on solidarity, co-responsibilityand pluralism.Why a strategy for social cohesion in the 21st century?3.Social cohesion is a dynamic process and an essential condition for social justice,democratic security and sustainable development. Divided and unequal societies are not onlyunjust, they also cannot guarantee stability in the long term.4.This New Social Cohesion Strategy is presented at a time when the meaning of the term"progress" is changing. In the past, it equated with a vision of prosperity, justice and freedom.Today, progress also means protecting society from regressive trends, ensuring the sustainabilityof social justice in a context of limited material and environmental resources, avoiding irreversiblesituations and ensuring inter-generational equity. Societal progress calls for a close examinationof the social and economic disparities in our societies as well as of the social and environmentalcosts of current patterns of production and consumption.5.A social cohesion strategy is, therefore, an essential means of ensuring that all thoseconcerned participate and co-operate fully in a democratic and sustainable development process.All societies face conflicts and divisions caused by disparities in the distribution of wealth, ethnicand cultural diversity and the different ways that environmental conditions affect people's lives.6.At their 2nd Summit, the Heads of State and Government of Council of Europe memberstates recognised that social cohesion was "one of the foremost needs of the wider Europe andshould be pursued as an essential complement to the promotion of human rights and dignity".The Council of Europe has done much to promote and develop the concept of social cohesion. Ithas helped to operationalise it by promoting access to social rights and has explored topics suchas how to improve the quality of life together, the positive impact of public policies, and thedevelopment and use of indicators.II. Acting for social cohesion7.The new strategy is based on four pillars:-reinvesting in social rights and a cohesive society;-building a Europe of responsibilities that are both shared and social;-strengthening representation and democratic decision making and expanding social dialogueand civic engagement;-building a secure future for all.