Shaping the future of
local services in Europe
Theme
of the conference
Communities, large and small,
across Europe are in the process of economic and social
change. These changes manifest themselves in different
ways, from decline in traditional industries to rapid
immigration, from the ageing of communities and the
increasing unaffordability of housing to issues of street
crime and anti-social behaviour.
Social services and their partners
in education, health, employment and housing understand
that they need to work together to make a difference
to the lives of vulnerable individuals and to strengthen
community cohesion, seeing their users in the context
of where they live and work, where they bring up their
children and care for their family and neighbours.
This conference recognises the
key role of local services in the rapidly changing,
often problematic and sometimes divided communities
in which they work and it will explore the experiences
of a number of European countries in this regard. The
conference will look at a range of developments in service
partnerships with other stakeholders, including users
and local citizens, and will ask how local services
can best respond to the social challenges of the 21st
century.
When and where?
Paris needs no introduction as
one of Europe's most historic and elegant capital cities.
The conference will
be held at the impressive Méridien Montparnasse
Hotel, situated in the heart of Paris's 'left bank'.
Close to the Luxembourg Gardens
and Saint-Germain-des-Près, an area rich in streetlife
and historic cafés, once home to the existentialist
movement and the backdrop for Puccini's legendary opera,
'La Bohème'.
Conference delegates will enjoy
two prestigious evening events: a formal welcome reception
hosted by the City of Paris at the historic Hôtel
de Ville (City Hall) on Wednesday 2 July and a romantic
Gala Dinner cruise along the Seine on Thursday 3 July.
View conference
schedule >
Who is it for?
The annual European Social Services Conference is an
important event for all those concerned with planning
and delivering European social care and health to the
highest standard. With over 30 multi-lingual plenary
and workshop presentations, the conference provides
a unique opportunity to understand the changes taking
place and for the exchange of ideas, experience and
‘best practice’.
It offers strategic and practical learning and networking
opportunities to all those responsible for planning
and implementing services in different European regions:
planners, politicians, managers and professionals.
The conference is held in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish and attracts approximately 400 delegates from around 25 different countries.
Click
here to view the presentations made at our previous
conferences.
"This 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
Organisers
The conference is organised annually by the European Social Network (ESN), a forum of directors of social, health, education and employment services and associate members.
The 2008 conference is presented in cooperation with
the French Presidency of the European Union; the
French Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs and Solidarity;
the City of Paris; the
Committee of the Regions; the Council of European Municipalities
and Regions; and NOPUS, supported by the Nordic Council
of Ministers.
|
