Access to affordable and high-quality long-term care is one of the two pillars of the European Care Strategy, launched by the European Commission in 2022. The Strategy aims to deliver quality, affordable and accessible care services across the EU, to improve both the situation for care receivers as well as working conditions and work-life balance for carers. It supports the implementation of the principles enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular the right to long-term care and the principles on gender equality and work-life balance.
This event aims to shine a light on persisting challenges to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of long-term care, as well as on policy solutions and opportunities for the future of long-term care under the Care Strategy, with a view to what the new EU mandate should deliver to address existing gaps.
14.45 – 15.00 Registration
15.00 – 15.10 Welcome and opening remarks
- Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General, Social Platform
15.10 – 16.00 Challenges in care and social services
Moderated by:
- Elizabeth Gosme, Director, COFACE
Panellists:
- Aurélie Baranger, Director, Autism Europe
- Lilana Keith, Senior Advocacy Officer, PICUM
- Stecy Yghemonos, Executive Director, Eurocarers
- Diana Dovgan, Secretary General, CECOP
- Samantha Howe, Policy Assistant for Social Services, European Public Service Union
16.00 – 16.50 Policy responses & the future of long-term care
Moderated by:
- Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General, Social Platform
Panellists:
- Ignazio Marino MEP, Greens/EFA
- Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic, Director Social Rights and Inclusion, DG EMPL
- Daniel Rădulescu, President, Sastipen / ERGO Network
- Hannah Adzakpa, Legal Advisor, Caritas Germany
- Orazio Fiorini, Senior Project Officer, EASPD
- Sebastian Gonzalez, Policy and Advocacy Officer, COFACE
16.50 – 17.00 Summary and closing remarks
- Laura de Bonfils, Secretary General, Social Platform
