European Family Conference
‘Social inclusion of families and EU Policies: Where do we stand?’
on 14-15 October 2010 in Palais d’Egmont, Brussels

In a crisis-stricken Europe that saw the income of millions of families shrink dramatically and put as many more millions at risk of poverty and social exclusion, the Confederation of Family Organisations in the EU (COFACE) is organising a major European Family Conference on 14 and 15 October 2010 in Brussels under the auspices and with the support of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. The conference will look at the family dimension of EU policies and chart a roadmap towards a socially inclusive Europe.

This event is organised in the framework of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion with the financial support of the EU Progress Programme. COFACE is adamant that supporting families is a most effective way to prevent poverty and exclusion, especially of children and young people. EU Policy makers and institutional leaders are expected to help shape a more family-friendly Europe.

The Conference, to be held at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Paola and co- presided by Belgium’s Secretary of State for Family Affairs, Melchior Wathelet, follows a European ministerial seminar on family mediation. COFACE is hoping that all relevant EU actors will see this major event as an opportunity to renew their commitment to solidarity, social justice and greater inclusion of families.

Two main issues – the importance of an EU focus on the family, and the EU’s role in combating family poverty and social exclusion – will be addressed through videoed testimonies, introductions by family policy specialists and interactive workshops as follows:

- Family and social policies in a changing Europe.
- The long road to inclusive Europe. Progress and prospects for people with disabilities and care needs.
- The importance of a specific family approach to consumer and health policy.
- Making education together with information and communication technologies work for social inclusion.

Draft programme (last update: 9 August)

Registration form (for members only)



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