Closing Speech by Annemie Drieskens, COFACE President Ladies ...

Closing Speech by Annemie Drieskens, COFACE President
Ladies and gentlemen, dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure and great honour to be addressing you at the end of these exciting 2
days with some brief closing remarks, to officially close the COFACE–ICA conference and
our rich network sessions on Vulnerable Families.
One of the main conclusions I would like to draw is that even with our best intentions and
political will, so far we have failed to prevent further impoverishment and growing
inequality in Europe.
The number of people and young people out of work is unprecedented in Europe, and as
such a ticking bomb for societal changes never seen before.
We all know the problems. But how come we are not able to make significant change in
the lives of many over the years. What needs to be done What can Europe do to
empower families
Ladies and gentlemen, let me briefly summarize the most important messages we have
heard in the past two days, and which will form the backbone of our ROADMAP FOR
VULNERABLE FAMILIES 2020 IN EUROPE.
1. Labour market. We need to get people into meaningful jobs. Let me refer to the
speeches of Ministers Frances Fitzgerald and Joan Burton, who said it loud and clear, the
best way out of poverty and social inclusion is a meaningful job, a stable income and a
good balance work/ family life. With your support COFACE will put those important issues
in 2014 on the agenda, during the European Year of Reconciling Work/Family life.
2. Removing the barriers for all families to flourish. This implies the respect and
recognition of the diversity of family forms and family choices. Empowerment of families
means focus on their strengths.
3. Social investment must be more and better. We must maintain universal services
but also further develop and implement targeted services to specific vulnerable groups
relating to their situation. We need to give second chances without judgement to those
who ended up in these situations, but focus on how to get them out of the situation.
Early detection, early intervention, and especially investment in the early years is key.
The earlier the better!
In our rich break out sessions this morning we learned that we must also invest in
family carers. This means that even if families are very willing to provide care for their
family members, States must not withdraw from their obligations in terms of support to
their citizens. They must create an environment where family carers have the choice, the
information and the support about being a family carer.
A first major step is that states recognise the role of family carers, both socially and
economically.
We learned today that joblessness and lack of skills makes families vulnerable. Services
and help must be integrated. Many innovative solutions where presented: integrating
training for young people lacking skills and at the same time helping their families
overcoming the difficulties that may be at the root of the young persons disengagement
with school.
Creating new jobs providing skills and revenue to previously excluded communities like
the Roma.

Providing vulnerable families with family loans that are aimed at overcoming an
emergency situation like preventing an eviction and at the same time helping them
recover and get back on their feet.
4 Building innovative, sustainable partnerships, between the civil society
organisations, the front-row services and social workers, as well as local government and
municipalities. Only through communication between the grass-root level and the higher
policy level we can make effective policies and programmes that will bring about change.
Ladies and gentlemen I firmly believe:
Coming together is a beginning
Keeping together is Progress
Working together is Success
Now I also would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the ICA President Liz
Wall, John O’Callaghan ,Rebecca Ryan and all ICA members who have been instrumental
in securing the Irish Presidency support, the wonderful venues and the active
participation of the 2 Ministers. Thank you!
I would like to thank Agnes Uhereczky and the COFACE team who have managed the
concept and the practical organisation of this successful conference. Thank you!
Thank the excellent speakers for their high-level input.
Thank the participants
Thank the interpreters
Thank the excellent, friendly staff of the Dublin Castle and the Irish Presidency.
Thank for your attention and enjoy your lunch!
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