The contrast to inequalities - which has always been a privileged context of civic commitment for Cittadinanzattiva - seems to be the guiding principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Hence the firm adhesion of Cittadinanzattiva to the official invitation addressed to us at the beginning of 2020 by the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, to collaborate in spreading the contents of the Pillar. This adhesion follows the identification of Cittadinanzattiva as a relevant stakeholder, by the European Commission, in the preliminary meetings held in various countries.
Three seem to be the some limits to the full implementation of the 20 principles that make up the European pillar of social rights: they cut across many sectors - which undermines the ability, between the various components of the European Commission itself, to be able to coordinate to avoid the so-called silo approach; they have no binding force towards Member States; they deal with various issues in which the European Union can only give its support, with the competence remaining basically in the hands of the national states (professional training, health care, childcare, etc.).
In addition to these limits, there do not seem to be enough financial resources to invest even in terms of communication. Despite everything, we have decided to collaborate with the European Commission since, among the 20 principles that make up the European pillar of social rights, those attributable to the category "Social protection and inclusion" are undoubtedly the areas towards which Cittadinanzattiva directs its commitment, both at European and, above all, national level in Italy. Three out of all: childcare and support for minors, health care and inclusion of people with disabilities. A firm, but at the same time conditioned adhesion - as we have been able to clarify to DG EMPL - to the fact of being able to be recognized as actors in the policy making process and not just repeaters.
Mariano Votta, Director, Active Citizenship Network