Welfare and Values in Europe : Policy recommendations on three levels: The European, national (regional) and local levels

In: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-151992

Abstract

The key political message arising from the WaVE case studies is the crucial relevance ofreligion (as subject matter) and locality (as the key framework in which to operate) in thedomain of welfare provision, if this is viewed from the perspective of majority/minorityrelations in Europe. a) Concerning the former, issues related to religion are clearly on the agenda in thedomain of welfare in both majority and minority communities. The role of religionis dual: it offers considerable potential but also involves a degree of risk. Thus,greater sensitivity, know-how and information on these questions are urgentlyneeded. This relates closely to the level of action, where more attention should bepaid to religion. Thus the message from our studies is: to raise awareness byimproving the level of information (see Figure 1 below). b) Concerning the latter, locality (specifically the local) emerges as the primarycontext of action in the domain of welfare. Thus, power, resources and support, aswell as information are needed at the local level. The role of religion is also evidentin the various elements of locality. Thus the second core message from our studiesis: to increase effectiveness by improving the action (see Figure 1 below). Noting the significance of religion and locality, several interrelated improvements ininformation and action are needed in order to build social cohesion and to preventtensions or conflicts between majorities and minorities in Europe. In this process, thevalues of each community (majority/minority) and their social, economic and politicalresources should be acknowledged in both constructive and critical ways.Thus, information and action provide the main themes of our policy recommendations atEuropean, national/regional and local level. These are summarized in the cycle of socialcohesion set out in Figure 1 and in the paragraphs that follow (pp. 6-7); each recommendationis then considered in more detail. ; Welfare and Values in Europe: Transitions related to Religion, Minorities and Gender