A few weeks ago, the Commission published this year’s Employment and Social Developments Report. This report analyses current and upcoming trends related to the labour market in the EU and serves as background information for many political decisions at EU level. It always includes a thematic focus which this year was about intergenerational fairness, with the report looking at the differences among generations in opportunities and performances on the job market as well as the risk of poverty.
While going through the report this week I started thinking more about the relations between generations. It is undoubtedly important for policy makers to have some knowledge about the economic situations of different generations. Taking these into account can help make better social policy choices to support specific moments in life or transitional periods. Still, I was wondering whether such economic intergenerational fairness is indeed key to social cohesion, as the report is claiming.
For sure, cohesion needs fairness, but it also needs so much more. In times where family ties are getting thinner and we rarely live in multi-generational houses anymore, creating a sense of community is one important part of building a more cohesive society. In terms of intergenerational relations this means also strengthening a mutual understanding of each other’s past and current challenges and struggles. Therefore, spaces and activities to come together are needed.
The need of such meeting places becomes particularly obvious when having a look at the projects and activities run by our members. For many projects the central element is a meeting place, a safe space to spend your time, where you find someone who listens and where you can make friendships that cross age and cultural barriers. Setting up a community centre might not seem very exciting or innovative, but for many people it actually makes a big difference. It is great that our members make these efforts and bring the village into the city and the community into our societies. Through their activities, they create intergenerational links that can perhaps create more social cohesion than any redistributive social policy.
Have a nice weekend,
Anne-Sophie