Spotlights from the 50 years events of the European Centre

The European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research celebrates its 50th anniversary to commemorate the contributions made to social policy developments across the member states of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The events were jointly implemented by the European Centre and its Board of Directors, especially the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK) and comprised the Ceremonial Act on 25 September 2024, followed by a two-days-lasting Invitational Conference on ‘The future of social welfare policy and research’ in the United Nations Offices at Vienna on 26-27 September 2024.

Recognised high-level speakers emphasized the necessity of social policies that are built on evidence provided by research. During the past 50 years the European Centre had a major role to play in this regard. Participating experts of the ceremonial events highlighted its unique perceived benefits that include conducting comparative research on social policies across the UN-Europe region, establishing an exceptional platform for fruitful exchange between policy making and research, co-creating policy solutions between actors of different background including civil society organisations and building bridges between the countries of the UN-Europe region, especially between the EU countries and the (potential) EU candidate countries in the Western Balkan and the Eastern Partnership region.

On Wednesday, 25 September 2024, we opened our 50th anniversary events with a Ceremonial Act at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (Marmorsaal). After opening remarks by Ghada Fathi Waly, Director General, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) by means of a video message and Susanne Keindl, Deputy Head of Department, BMSGPK, Kai Leichsenring, Executive Director, and Anette Scoppetta, Deputy Director, explored the European Centre’s key features and success stories over the past decades. Following that, Georg Fischer, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), Austria, former Director for Social Affairs in DG EMPL, focussed in his keynote on 50 years of European cooperation in social policy, its context, and contributions.

Photocredit: Alex Tuma. Photo 1 (top left): Susanne Keindl, BMSGPK in front of the audience. Photo 2 (top right): from left to right. Kai Leichsenring, Executive Director, European Centre; Anette Scoppetta, Deputy Director, European Centre; Sonja Kato, Moderation. Photo 3 (bottom left): Susanne Keindl, BMSGPK. Photo 4 (bottom right): Georg Fischer, wiiw.

 

The longstanding collaborations between various European countries and the European Centre were highlighted by Anna Zhamakochyan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Armenia, and Members of the Board of Directors from Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, and Austria. The discussants reflected on the impact of these partnerships, focussing on key projects and discussing future opportunities for cooperation in research and policy making.

Photocredit: Alex Tuma. Photo 1 (top left): from left to right, Ewa Chylek, Board Member, Poland; Tony Malmborg, Board Member, Sweden; Manuel Veguín García, Board Member, Spain; Anna Zhamakochyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Armenia; Thomas Vollmer and Sabina Littmann-Wernli, Board Member, Switzerland; Matthias Reiter-Pázmándy, Board Member, Austria. Photo 2 (top right): from left to right, Georg Fischer, wiiw, Austria; Sabina Littmann-Wernli; Anna Zhamakochyan; Susanne Keindl, BMSGPK; Anette Scoppetta; Ewa Chylek; Kai Leichsenring. Photo 3 (bottom left): Kai Leichsenring. Photo 4 (bottom right): Anette Scoppetta.

 

On Thursday, 26 September and Friday, 27 September, the past five decades of social welfare in Europe were reflected at our Invitational Conference at the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV). Experts also discussed how to address current gaps and challenges. The topics debated at the conference were centred around the theme "Social Science and Social Policies and the Triple Transformation."

 

 

During these two days, numerous experts from different countries and of professional backgrounds shared their valuable insights and expertise. In total, around 133 participants from 27 different countries contributed to fruitful discussions, making our 50th anniversary events a great success.

 

 

Participating experts came from various institutional backgrounds including civil servants from respective ministries, academics, CSOs (civil society organisations), social partners and service providers, amongst others (see graphic below), illustrating the need for cooperation between the research and policy-making.

 

 

 

On Thursday Johannes Rauch, Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, opened the conference with a video message alongside Angela Me, Acting Chair, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Martin Polaschek, Austrian Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research and Klaus Famira, Ambassador, Head of Department, Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.
In his opening remarks, the Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection Johannes Rauch stated: „The Centre has been an important partner of the Ministry for half a century. It has always provided us with evidence that inform policy. The Centre builds bridges between research, practice and policy and bridges between European countries.“

Video message by Johannes Rauch, Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria.

 

The opening remarks were followed by presentations of our key note speakers, Slavina Spasova (Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, Director of the European Social Observatory) and Michael Förster (SciencesPo, France, former OECD), who explored the challenges of “Social Policies Under Pressure”.

Key note speaker Michael Förster, SciencesPo, France, former OECD

 

Three discussion papers have been prepared prior to the events that reflect the past five decades of social welfare in Europe. They also focus on necessary improvements in social welfare, in particular in the areas of Employment and Labour Mobility, Health and Care, as well as Social Protection and Inclusion. These discussion papers formed the basis for the parallel sessions that took place on Thursday afternoon. The outcomes and key topics debated in the parallel sessions were then presented by the chairs of the sessions, Sonila Danaj (Employment and Labour Mobility), Kai Leichsenring (Health and Care) and Magdi Birtha (Social Protection and Inclusion), on Friday.

 

 

Employment and Labour Mobility

The discussion paper highlighted several key topics which were debated during the session such as work fragmentation and inequality, access to the labour market, and the need for upskilling and reskilling in response to major global trends, particularly digitalisation and the green transition. The internationalisation of the workforce, especially its impact on migrant workers, was also discussed, with attention paid to how it reshapes both labour markets and society.

Another topic of concern was the evolving role of industrial relations actors, collective bargaining, and the professionalisation of policymaking. The need for a balanced research that also acknowledges policy successes was raised, alongside questions about how policies are implemented in day-to-day practice by enforcement agencies and public authorities.

Inequalities, particularly gender disparities, new forms of work such as platform work, and the challenges that comes with them such as the employment status and access to social protection were emphasized during the discussion. Concerns about reskilling and upskilling in the changing labour landscape, as well as the risk of leaving certain groups behind, were key points of discussion.

The session also explored the emotional and psychological challenges workers face when transitioning to new roles, stressing the importance of not treating this process as merely mechanical. Occupational safety and health, especially psychosocial aspects, for instance, were addressed.

Lastly, the importance of social partners and collective bargaining was underlined, questioning whether traditional industrial relations structures are adequate for the evolving ‘world of work’. Alternative instruments might be needed to strengthen social dialogue and ensure worker protection, regardless of the employment status. 

Speakers from left to right: Tadas LeonĨikas (Eurofound, Dublin), Leonard Geyer (Researcher, European Centre), Sonila Danaj (Chair and Team Lead "Employment and Labour Mobility", European Centre), Elif Naz Kayran (Researcher, European Centre), Michael Blauberger (University of Salzburg, Austria).

 

 

Health and Care

The discussion revolved around the vision presented in the paper "Caring Societies" which generated comprehensive and constructive feedback. A key quote from Henk Nies, University of Amsterdam, opened up the broader theme: "The solutions for long-term care can only be found beyond and outside long-term care." This led to a discussion about how to achieve a truly caring society, noting that the discourse around long-term care is still relatively new compared to employment and social protection topics.

One major point raised was the need to frame the discussion also positively. While long-term care and informal caregiving often emphasize burdens, it is important to acknowledge the rewarding aspects as well. It was stressed that finding a balance between recognizing the positive aspects of caring and the necessary professional support is needed.

Good practices were highlighted, particularly examples from the Netherlands such as smaller housing units, care farms, and caring communities. These models could serve as inspiration for broader long-term care solutions.

Another discussion point was that ageing should not automatically be equated with needing care; older people can play a vital role in supporting younger generations, highlighting the importance of intergenerational connections. Governance concerns and financing of long-term care were highlighted with Emma Dowling, University of Vienna, drawing attention to the challenges posed by market-oriented approaches, particularly in the UK, which have led to significant quality issues in the system.

The valuable insights gained during the discussions will be incorporated into the discussion paper "Caring Societies".

Speakers from left to right: Mirjam Pot (Researcher, European Centre), Niki Kalavrezou (Researcher, European Centre), Selma Kadi (Researcher, European Centre), Kai Leichsenring (Chair and Team Lead "Health and Care", European Centre), Henk Nies (University of Amsterdam), Emma Dowling (University of Vienna).

 

 

Social Protection and Inclusion

The discussion paper addressed challenges, trends, and future perspectives in four key policy areas: social assistance and minimum income, child and family policies, disability policies and social support services, as well as housing. While these areas are not the only ones of the welfare systems, they are crucial for supporting vulnerable groups facing persistent inequalities, social exclusion, and poverty.

Experts discussed the complexity of addressing minimum income needs, combating poverty, and tackling gender inequalities, emphasizing the need for a holistic, integrated policy approach. Child poverty was another focal point of the discussion including debates around the separation of child benefits from the broader social assistance schemes.

The session also delved into how megatrends like ageing, digitalisation, migration, and climate change and how these are reshaping social protection and services. However, there was concern expressed by participants on the limited political will to implement large-scale policy reforms, with quick fixes often favoured over comprehensive solutions, particularly in areas like climate change and ageing.

Research was highlighted as a crucial mechanism for supporting policy reform, with examples from Moldova illustrating how learning from other countries’ successes—and even failures—can inform national approaches. The need for better integration across policy areas, such as linking pension reform with healthcare, was emphasized, as well as the importance of overcoming policy silos in governance systems.

Regional cooperation between countries, especially between and with the Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries was discussed, noting that while challenges are similar across the UNECE region, national specificities must be considered, avoiding "one-size-fits-all" solutions.

Lastly, the session underscored the importance of focussing on the impact of climate change on social protection and inclusion, an area still under-researched. Improving data collection, particularly from Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries, was seen as essential for future projects.

Speakers from left to right: Karin Heitzmann (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Magdi Birtha (Chair and Team Lead "Social Protection and Inclusion", European Centre), Eszter Zólyomi (Researcher, European Centre).

 

More detailed Conference findings will be included in the papers that will finally be published here during the months to come.

 

The European Centre is proud of its 50th anniversary. We are honoured that we have been able to contribute to improving social policy in the past. We will continue to do so together with our partners in the future.

Thank you for your continuous support!

 

Watch the video of our events here.
Read the key-note speech by Georg Fischer at the Ceremonial Act here. 
 

Downloads

Key-note speech Georg Fischer - Ceremonial Act
Presentation Slavina Spasova – Social Europe: a paradigm shift. What challenges ahead?
Presentation Michael Förster – Social policies under pressure
Pen portraits – Conference speakers
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