Speeches, Interviews

Opening address by Social Affairs Minister Haubner at the conference “Demographic challenges – Family needs partnership”

Dear Secretary of State Kostiainen,
Dear Secretary of State Sutcliffe,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you: political representatives of employers’ and employees’ associations, family associations, NGOs, personalities from trade and industry, bodies representing interests and experts from more than 33 European countries, at the conference „Demographic Challenges – Family needs Partnership “ in Vienna. Finally, the topic of demographic changes and their consequences for the demographic development has been a topic during the meeting of the heads of government in Hampton Court, who look upon the demographic development as (major) challenge for the social and economic development of Europe in the future.

The situation appears to be:

Lengthening of life expectancy, strong rise in the number of over 60-year-old people and a continually low birth rate. In accordance with EUROSTAT prognoses, the percentage of 0-40 year-old people in the entire population will probably decrease by about 25%. The number of the 65- to 79-year-old people is expected to rise by 44% and that of the over 80-year-old people even by 180%. In all member states the fertility index lies below the threshold necessary for the renewal of a generation (2.1 children per woman); in many member states it has fallen even under 1.5 children per women. This lack of rejuvenation of the society has consequences for the European society and life model.

The Green Paper of the Commission of March 2005 points to far-reaching consequences for trade and industry and the society. As a result of prognoses, a society growing older in Europe might cost us one annual per cent point in economic growth. But the Green Paper also comments on changes in the labour market, social protection systems, family structures and the relations of generations between each other.

The following first priorities are suggested on this account:

• The concentration on the rank of children and family in society is to be promoted;
• the balance and thereby the solidarity between generations is to be secured, and
• new transitions between individual stages of life (education and further education, gainful employment and retirement) is to be set up.

In addition, the Commission has announced a communication on the demographic challenge for the first quarter of 2006. This communication ought to treat the results of the comprehensive consultation started by means of the Green Paper and draw respective conclusions from it. I suppose that Commissioner Spidla will give us particulars on major statements of the forthcoming communication this afternoon.

Family policy falls within the competence of the member states, but points of contact in the domains of employment, social security or the European Youth Pact do exist.

With this conference the Austrian Presidency wishes to continue the started initiative (Dublin, Berlin) and to make a contribution to this important and necessary discussion at European level. Results from this conference should flow into the new European Lisbon process.

In this context, he Austrian focus is strengthening  the family,as central challenge, in order to counter the consequences of demographic change successfully. Family is partnership within the family (fathers) and family needs partnership: with trade and industry, the regions and the general public. Families are the keys for the future, also and particularly in issues of solidarity between generations.

Manifold and sustained concepts for and with the families are necessary in order to secure the future and to guarantee the social cohesion in Europe also for the future. Concepts such as the financial compensation for performance, social cover for services rendered and a family-oriented working world. Each member state must take particular interest in families with children.

In Austria, tradition and a strong desire of the parents to raise their children – particularly during the first years of their life within the family - are a distinctive characteristic. Promoting the decision and responsibility of both parents are targets of prime importance.

Of course, here the participation of the fathers is required  to an increasing extent. The strong commitment of the fathers in family work, and particularly in raising the children complies with the desire and the sense of responsibility of today’s young fathers.

Above all, the freedom of choice between family and profession is of great importance to mothers and fathers. This is the only way for both parents to combine the upbringing of their children but also the caring for older members of the family with a fulfilled working life.

From a demographic standpoint, much would be achieved, if the gap between the desired number of 2.3 children per family and the actual number of 1.5 children per family could be reduced.

We have gathered here to exchange experience and best practice for the reconciliation of family and profession. We can learn a lot from each other, without renouncing our national strengths. The diversity of Europe is also expressed by varied approaches and focal points in the domain of family policy.

A common target unites us: Family policy requires the further overlapping co-operation of all social fields.

I would like to thank you again for coming. I wish you an interesting conference and a pleasant stay here in Vienna, and I am looking forward to exciting discussions.