The European Pillar of Social Rights and the Quest for EU Social Sustainability

Abstract

This article sets out to review the policies introduced by the European Pillar of Social Rights and its accompanying initiatives in light of their contribution to European Union (EU) social sustainability, particularly in comparison with their predecessors. The balance between economic and social policies at EU level has long been tipped in favour of the economic, leaving an atrophic social side a servant of market-based objectives. Social sustainability appeared absent from the European vocabulary, at least in substantive terms, something exacerbated by the effects of the 2008 crisis. The criticisms that ensued led to a resurgence of interest in establishing a socially sustainable Union, crystallized in the Pillar and its accompanying initiatives. Despite their potential, further commitment by the Member States as well as more concrete and legally binding proposals are necessary, for without them this social resurgence might once again surrender to economic hegemony.

Sports Management Knowledge, Competencies, and Skills: Focus Groups and Women Sports Managers’ Perceptions

“…To respond to the rapidly changing employability demands in society and to ensure sustainable competitiveness and social fairness, the five-year European Skills Agenda plan has been established [13]. The plan implements the European Pillar of Social Rights launched in 2016 [14,15], which aimed to promote equal opportunities and access to the labor market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion through a list of 20 rights and principles. In this framework, the European Commission stresses the crucial role of education, training, and lifelong learning to promote European citizens' rights to enhance their employment opportunities, especially the youth [16].…”

“…In this framework, the European Commission stresses the crucial role of education, training, and lifelong learning to promote European citizens' rights to enhance their employment opportunities, especially the youth [16]. Strengthening the core welfare and employment-friendly components of social sustainability should sit at the heart of EU policies [15]. Finally, digital transformation is changing the way we work, learn, and take part in society [13], determining the need to continue updating education and training programs to bridge the existing gap between the demands of the working sector and the graduates'/trainees' preparedness.…”