A Europe free of elder abuse
The European Commission’s Green Paper on Ageing has a blindspot—elder abuse.
Society
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on societal issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
Pollution: no acceptable levels
‘Zero pollution’ is a very good goal for the European Union to adopt—but only if zero means zero.
A first tango in Glasgow?
A new transatlantic relationship is critical to any hope of global realisation of the goals of the Paris agreement.
People v Shell: from ‘corporate social responsibility’ to legal accountability
The successful action by citizens and NGOs in a Dutch court against Shell has sent a frisson through corporate boardrooms—with reason.
‘Danger money’ bungs will not quell labour unrest in health and social care
The concerns of health and care workers go well beyond the pandemic and pay, touching on their human dignity.
Workplace, public space: workers organising in the age of facial recognition
‘Surveillance capitalism’ is increasingly threatening workers’ collective action and the human right to public protest.
Can rental intermediation improve the right to housing in France?
‘Housing first’ has become good practice in ending homelessness, in various European countries, especially for those with complex needs.
The climate X factor
The climate and biodiversity crises we face demand not only carbon-neutral energy sources but also a circular economy.
Ethical consumerism meets ‘eco-awakening’
If consumers are not given the tools to go green, then their eco-awakening could doom the climate.
Does it take a pandemic to relaunch European social dialogue?
One of the unwitting effects of the crisis has been to remake the case for dialogue between social partners to solve major problems.
Work harder: the Porto Social Summit’s call to Europe’s welfare states
Welfare states are having to run harder to stand still. They need to act in mutual support to win the race against inequality and poverty.
What should a female career and family structure post-pandemic look like?
The pandemic threatens to exacerbate gender inequalities and reinforce the association between women and unpaid care—unless contrary action is taken.
A shot in the arm
The European Union needs to raise its vaccination target and bring it forward. The good news is it can.
The Social Summit—and beyond
Concrete commitments must follow today’s Social Summit in Porto if the promise of a social Europe is to be realised.
What price a life?
Kate Pickett widens the panorama from the all-consuming coverage in Britain of the death of Prince Philip to ask why human lives and labours are so differentially valued.
A long-overdue step on EU sustainability reporting
A draft directive on sustainability reporting begins to address the challenge of turning the corporate tanker towards a zero-emissions 2050.
Can virtual addresses provide a gateway to rights for homeless people?
Europe’s lockdowns highlighted the right to housing—and its link to health and security. For many, however, it remains a distant privilege.