COMECE contributed to five public consultations launched by the EU Commission in preparation of the Multiannual financial framework post 2020. COMECE contributions vary in nature and topic but highlight two major ideas. First, to ensure a fair, simplified and non-discriminatory access to EU funding for all actors working for the Common Good. Among them including Churches and religious communities are important societal actors in areas … Continue reading »

COMECE welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to propose a European Labour “Authority” to strengthen the rights of almost 17 million European citizens working in another EU country. COMECE encourages the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to swiftly review the proposal allowing the institution to start working before the 2019 European elections. A European Labour “Authority” could play an important role. … Continue reading »

COMECE, together with its partners of the European Sunday Alliance, organised at the European Parliament a panel debate on the role of common free time for social, religious and civic engagement and volunteering. The event, hosted by MEPs Evelyn Regner and Thomas Mann, highlighted the challenge of reconciling social commitment with increasingly flexibilised working schedules. Participants exchanged ideas, experiences and statistics, shaping a dialogue on … Continue reading »

Volunteering and social/civic engagement are fundaments of democratic societies. They strengthen social cohesion but deeply depend on the free time at disposal of the citizens. If the free time that could be invested for such important social activities will be scarcer, will Hashtag activism replace the ‘traditional’ ways of social and civic commitment? Will digitalisation undermine or facilitate civic engagement? And if the lack of … Continue reading »

COMECE Social Affairs Commission and Catholic-inspired organisations exchanged with experts and EU officials on the transformative shift undergoing in the world of work. During the two-days meeting, under the presidency of Bishop Gianni Ambrosio, participants focused on the ways digitalisation and other trends are shaping the European labour market and impacting the dignity of workers. Based on the discussion with the invited speakers – including … Continue reading »

“We need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalisation“, said Pope Francis in his Message for the World Day of the Poor on Sunday. The Holy Father recalled that the care for the poor is at the very heart of the Christian faith. He encouraged all of us to embrace a culture of encounter “that breaks through their … Continue reading »

COMECE and CEC welcome the inter-institutional proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights to be signed today at the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth that is taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden. COMECE and CEC consider the European Pillar of Social Rights as a vital and further step towards the European Social Market Economy, therefore we welcome the high-level consensus set by the … Continue reading »

The World Day for Decent Work (7 October) reminded to all of us to stand up and advocate for fair labour conditions centred around the principles of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. “The situation of youth unemployment, and that of so many who have lost their job and are unable to reinsert themselves, are realities we cannot grow used to, treating them as if … Continue reading »

With (Re)thinking Europe approaching, COMECE exchanged ideas on the future of Europe and its underlying principles with an international seminar group discussing the role of religious and faith-based institutions in EU politics. Organised by the Catholic Social Academy in Austria (KSÖ), the exchange took place on the 15 September and highlighted the connection between the future of Europe and the activity of people working on … Continue reading »