The aim of Forum 2003 was to consider what influence globalisation has on
confidence and security, two fundamental aspects of social cohesion.
Globalisation poses a challenge to the role of the state and local and
regional authorities in ensuring access to social rights, which since the
war have served to stabilise democratic institutions. Can markets, to which
nation states are increasingly prone to surrender their authority, deal
unaided with current challenges? Do they really have the legitimacy and
capacity to respond to the sense of insecurity stemming from changes in work
patterns and public life, the new power of the media and technology in
general, and current demographic and migration trends that now affect the
whole of Europe?
The issues raised by the 2003 Forum deserve close attention since the
challenge is to European identity itself, as reflected in a society in which
development, social cohesion and citizen participation are carefully
balanced.
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Our citizens need, and have the right to demand, protection and
security. But fear is a powerful motivator which may be used and
abused for political purposes. It diverts public attention from
other pressing problems and some politicians may be tempted to
manipulate the public feelings of insecurity when elections are
coming up and polls are going down. The adverse effects of such an
approach are self-evident and while the primary responsibility to
prevent them lies with politicians, the voters should also refuse to
reward any attempts to exploit their anguish for political gains.
Peter Schieder,
President of the Council of Europe's
Parliamentary Assembly
(2002-2005), addressing the colloquium on "Anti-Terrorist Measures
and Human Rights" (Vienna , 30 October 2002)
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Themes covered |
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Feelings of insecurity and changes in society - What future for social
cohesion in Europe?
Informing or alarming? The impact of the medias on collective feelings
of insecurity
The right to live in security - What programmes and legal instruments to
combat collective insecurity?
The right to live in security - What policies to ensure confidence and
future social cohesion? |
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Related information
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Background remarks for the debate
Speakers' contributions
Press file |
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Publications |
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 Trends
in social cohesion Volume N°10 - Security
through social cohesion: proposals for a new socio-economic governance
Order the publication
Download in Pdf
 Trends
in social cohesion Volume N°11 - Security through social
cohesion: deconstructing fear (of others) by going beyond stereotypes
Order the publication
Download in Pdf |
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