Intervista a Dubravka Šuica a cura di Bénédicte Colin
Governments, enterprises, civil society… The European Commission finds itself often at the crossroad of this different souls of our societies that are concerned by the demographic changes. And the future is a matter of common good: it concerns everybody. How to better work in synergy with all the stakeholders to face the demographic challenges? What could do the EU so that network of families, universities and entrepreneurs become true allies of the public policies on this topic?
Your assessment of the role of the European Commission is very correct, we are frequently asked to balance the expectations and interests of different stakeholders and find ways of reconciling sometimes conflicting perspectives. This is at the same time a rewarding and a challenging position.
When it comes to demographic changes, the European Commission provides data and evidence based on the trends that are emerging and their possible impacts. We have done this through the first ever Report on the Impact of Demographic change published in 2020. The report shows long-term demographic trends in Europe’s regions – from longer life expectancy, to lower birth rates, ageing societies, smaller households and increasing urbanisation. It also shows Europe’s declining share of global population – expected to account for less than 4% of the world’s population by 2070. Life expectancy at birth has increased by about 10 years for both men and women over the last five decades and we spend a large part of our life in good health. From the 1960s until the mid-1990s, the average number of childbirths per woman in Europe decreased. It recovered somewhat in the 2000s and then roughly stabilised in the decade that followed. All of this was a snapshot of the situation when the Report was published. There have been major events in the past two years that may have affected demographic trends – notably the COVID pandemic, the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the flow of refugees from the aggression in Ukraine – and the Commission is now working on an update of this Report to be issued before the end of the year.
The European Commission also has a role as a “guardian of the Treaties”. It is therefore worth recalling how our foundational documents treat these topics. Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union says that «the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail». Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union says «that the Union shall establish an internal market. It shall work for the sustainable development of Europe… It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child. It shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States».
These guiding principles and values are crucial in defining how we approach all major issues we are faced with. This includes demographic change. Almost all our policies have an effect on demographic changes and the conditions in which people decide on the number of children they want to have. This is why it is crucial to reflect on demographic realities in the design of policies at the EU, but also national, regional and local levels. But this reflection cannot be done in isolation in the corridors of administrations. It has to be a result of open, transparent and inclusive discussion with a wide range of stakeholders.
Networks of families, universities and entrepreneurs, among others, all need to be consulted and included, as they all have a unique perspective and bring valuable insights on the needs of various actors in our societies. We must ensure that the voice of networks of families is heard. They will provide us with a much more clear picture of the challenges European families face. They will also bring concrete views, ideas and suggestions for actions towards solutions that can work for our families and our societies.
Public consultations on new laws are one way, and the Commission is taking steps to make the process of giving inputs as easy and simple as possible. But this is not enough. We also have to continue looking for ways to include citizens and their representatives in deliberations on key initiatives like we have done in the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Dedicating resources to citizens panels on key topics will be another way. President Von der Leyen committed to this in her speech at the conclusion of the Conference of the Future of Europe. Using digital technologies and strengthening options for inputs, but also deliberations, exchanges and joint reflections of all stakeholders including academics and business communities as well as family members will be key and the Commission will make decisive steps in facilitating these.
Through all of these actions, I am confident that together we can shape the positive demographic realities of the future.
The Portuguese Presidency of the EU, during the first semester of 2021 conceived the European Union’s Social Pillar «… as a response to the social dimension of the crisis and as a way to strengthen the European social model and its capacity to keep pace with climate change and digital and demographic change». How do you think that we can better link the demographic transition to the green and the digital transitions, also in terms of family-work life balance? How the European Commission is taking into account this triple transition, environmental, digital and demographic?
The demographic transition is underpinning all of our policies and none of them can be designed correctly without taking into account the effects of demographic change. Whether we talk about European Union’s energy needs or food security or digital needs and achievements, we have to take into account the preferences, wishes and aspirations, but also the availability of people to work on them.
For many decades now, Europe’s recipe for success has been its unique social market economy model. In it, economic competitiveness, innovation, social justice and high social standards reinforce each other.
To further strengthen this unique European way, as you mentioned, on the 4th of March 2021, the European Commission presented its European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.
The message from it and the Social Summit held in Porto is unequivocal. Europe has decided to put social justice, social investments and social resilience at the heart of the recovery. Social rights must drive Europe’s transition towards a green and digital economy and society.
The recovery is an opportunity for the EU and its Member States to tackle long-standing challenges, such as child poverty or precarious employment. The future must be more sustainable, inclusive and fairer than the past, putting people’s wellbeing at the centre of all policy-making. Only such an approach will lead to more favourable demographic trends.
In this context, we cannot forget the role families play in our societies. That is why the EU supports the Member States in developing policies to support children and households. The European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan provide for several policy approaches in this regard, in particular its principles: 2 on gender equality, 3 on equal opportunities, 9 on work life balance, 11 on childcare and support to the children and 18 on long-term care.
Beyond these, the Commission is, under my leadership, currently working on a Care Package and revision of the Barcelona targets all of which will further support finding a more appropriate work-family balance in particular for women who frequently act as informal carers for both youngest and oldest members of our societies and open possibilities for them to thrive in the labor market as well.
The Conference on the Future of Europe highlighted the concerns of the Europeans in relation to the demographic challenges. Proposal n. 15 asks «to address the challenges arising from the demographic transition, as a critical ingredient of Europe’s overall resilience, in particular low birth rates and a steadily ageing population, by ensuring support to people throughout the lifecycle». What will be the follow-up of the European Commission on that specific proposal?
The three EU institutions that led the Conference on the Future of Europe committed to following up on the outcomes of the Conference, within the spheres of their competences. This was again confirmed by President Von der Leyen in her speech on 9th of May in Strasbourg at the closing of the Conference.
Proposal 15 on demographic transition was part of the proposals on stronger economy, social justice and jobs. The Report on the Conference on the future of Europe also contains several measures under this proposal.
These include:
• Ensuring quality, affordable and accessible childcare across the EU, so that mothers and fathers can confidently reconcile their work and family life. Introducing specific support and protection of work for young people.
• Promoting the right to free movement of education within the Union through mutual recognition of degrees, grades, skills and qualifications;
• Ensuring support of families across all Member States, for instance with regard to parental leave as well as childbirth and childcare allowances.
• Addressing housing needs as it plays a crucial role in supporting families.
• Taking action to guarantee that all families enjoy equal family rights in all Member States.
• Promoting flexible retirement ages by taking account of the specific situation of older persons.
• Preventing old age poverty by introducing minimum pensions.
• Guaranteeing appropriate social and health care to older persons.
• Ensuring the sustainable development and the demographic resilience of the regions that are lagging behind in order to make them more vibrant and attractive, including through the cohesion policy.
• Taking coordinated action at the European level for collecting data disaggregated by factors such as gender and analysing demographic trends, sharing best practices and knowledge and supporting Member States in shaping and implementing adequate policies including by establishing a specialized EU body in this area.
This work was very much inspired by the Citizens’ Panels and was effectively confirmed by the Plenary, which also included elected representatives, Ministers, Commissioners and civil society, together with citizens. As you can see, citizens have given very detailed and concrete ideas and on what they believe should be done to address the demographic challenges. They have identified major themes and topics and suggested outcomes which would lead to more favourable demographic conditions. Some of the suggestions go beyond the scope of what only the European Commission can do and require the actions of national or other levels. Here I am referring to the minimum pensions, social and healthcare or child allowances or defining the retirement age. However, the European Commission can and will play a role in driving the discussions and exchanges of best practices on these topics as well.
The Commission will also continue to work on establishing a collection of data and analysis of the demographic trends. We will also continue to support provision of childcare through funding creation of schools and kindergartens and other care facilities as well as enhancing the conditions for all carers. Major Commission initiatives like the European Bauhaus will contribute to the availability of sustainable and affordable housing.
