Challenges and Opportunities for Social Services in Europe

In Brief

2010 is the European Year for Combating Social Exclusion and Poverty, a time of challenge and change for social services and for Europe. This conference - Challenges and Opportunities for Social Services in Europe: promoting care and inclusion in a difficult economic environment - opens a timely debate about the future of social services in Europe. It looks at current trends, challenges and opportunities for local directors and managers in areas such as public finance, the use of ICT, new forms of service partnership, skills development, user and carer participation and self-management of care. It provides a unique opportunity to understand what is happening in social work and care across Europe at a time of financial turbulence and to share experiences and expertise for developing effective people-centred strategies in and beyond the recession. It is an essential event for those responsible for designing, contracting and providing social services in Europe. Read more.

"This annual event sends a signal that the social dimension of European unity is an important issue which must be given a high profile."
Vladimir Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities 2004-9

Latest conference news

Exciting speakers confirmed for Barcelona 2010!

  •  LÁSZLÓ ANDOR, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion will discuss the social policy priorities of the EU’s new 2020 Strategy.

  • OECD Deputy Secretary-General AART DE GEUS discusses the impact of the recession on health and social services across Europe.

  • Deputy Minister for Employment in the Provincial Government of Quebec, DOMINIQUE SAVOIE discusses the elimination of inter-service barriers and promotion of active citizenship.

  • Leading welfare analyst, Professor GØSTA ESPING-ANDERSEN discusses major themes from his ‘sweeping and provocative’ new book.

  • Professor of Public Management, WALTER KICKERT poses the question, ‘What are the challenges and opportunities facing public sector managers today?’

  • Global Business Development Manager and health spokesperson of Microsoft, ELIZABETH BIELBY discusses opportunities for management effectiveness and potential benefits to service users.
    Read more.

Superb locations once again for the conference Reception and Gala Dinner!

This year's Official Reception, hosted jointly by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Diputació de Barcelona will take place on Monday 21 June at the Palau Reial de Pedralbes (Royal Palace of Pedralbes) in Barcelona. This impressive Italianate residence with its fine gardens is the new headquarters of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Our Gala Dinner on Tuesday 22 June will take place, with support from the City of Barcelona, in the magnificent Marqués de Comillas Hall of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, situated on the city’s waterfront in the ancient Royal Shipyards. Europe’s largest Gothic construct, this is the site where warships were built during Columbus’ time!