Social cohesion is a very substantive concept. A Council of Europe High Level Task Force on Social Cohesion set down in 2005 describes social cohesion as consisting of four core ideas: social rights, a stronger sense of social representation, functioning of democracy (promoting social and civil dialogue) and sense of confidence in the future (integration of migrants).
The Council of Europe’s work in this area aims at fostering social cohesion and improving the quality of life in Europe for the genuine enjoyment of all human rights and the respect of human dignity. The Council of Europe promotes European standards in the social and health field and supports ethnic and cultural diversity. Development of multi-disciplinary and innovative policies as well as giving practical support to policy makers, professionals and field workers across Europe is another important tool for promoting social cohesion. This is done through legal standard-setting instruments, guidelines, ministerial conferences, intergovernmental committees and groups of experts who meet on a regular basis.
Some concrete examples of work done by and with the Council of Europe to promote social cohesion are its Development Bank, the Pompidou Group and the work done with regards to Roma and Travellers.
Development Bank
Set up in 1956, the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is the oldest international financial institution in Europe and the only one with an exclusively social vocation. The CEB is the financial instrument of the policy of solidarity developed by the Council of Europe.
The CEB is a multilateral development bank placed under the supreme authority of the Council of Europe. It nevertheless has its own full legal status and financial autonomy. By granting loans, the Bank participates in the financing of social projects, responds to emergency situations and thus contributes to improving living conditions and social cohesion in the less advantaged regions of Europe. The CEB grants loans in its the member states. The loans may finance projects related to three core areas; strengthening social integration, managing the environment and developing human capital.
CEB has 39 member states, and Norway has been a member since 1978.
Pompidou Group
The Pompidou Group is a multidisciplinary co-operation forum to prevent drug abuse and illicit trafficking in drugs, set up in 1971 and incorporated into the Council of Europe in 1980. Shortly after joining the Council of Europe, the Group embarked on one of the key features of its work: compiling and harmonising information so that trends in drug addiction could be closely monitored. Norway has been a member since 1983.
The Pompidou Group’s core mission is to contribute to the development of multidisciplinary, innovative, effective and evidence-based drug policies in its member states. It seeks to link policy, practice and science and focuses especially on the realities of local implementation of drug programmes.
The group works in a multidisciplinary manner, thus making it possible for policy-makers, professionals and researchers to discuss and exchange information and ideas on the whole range of drug misuse and trafficking problems.
Norway considers the group to be important for exchange of information and for developing policies and measures.
Roma and Travellers
There are approximately 8-10 million Roma in Europe, but throughout history this group of people has struggled to be accepted as an integrated part of European culture and heritage. Since 1993, the Roma and Travellers issue has been at the heart of three of the Council’s top priorities: protection of minorities, the fight against racism and intolerance and the fight against social exclusion.
In 2006, Norway and the Council of Europe co-funded a seminar on trafficking in human beings. Roma women from Albania, Moldova and Slovakia participated.
In its work to support the Roma people, the Council of Europe also cooperates closely through a partnership agreement with the European Roma and Travellers Forum.