The social rights guaranteed by the European Social Charter give democracy tangible meaning in people's everyday lives, concluded participants at a high-level event organised by the Council of Europe and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels on 5 June.
The event, entitled 'Social Rights: Building Social Justice and Democratic Stability', brought together policymakers, civil society representatives, international organisations and youth leaders from across Europe. Participants underscored the pivotal role of the social rights enshrined in the European Social Charter - particularly in the context of growing socio-economic inequalities, demographic shifts, and environmental challenges - as a cornerstone of democratic resilience and inclusive development.
Participants also called to more effectively integrate social rights into national and international policies, as a smart economic investment to reduce inequalities empower young people and leave no one behind towards the UN Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025.
In his opening remarks, Gianluca Esposito, the Council of Europe's Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, said: "It is indisputable that social justice strengthens the very fabric of democracy. It fosters trust in public institutions and counteracts polarisation. It creates communities in which every person, especially the young, can believe in a future of inclusion and fairness. This is why, today, the Council of Europe calls for a "New Democratic Pact" - one that places social rights at the centre of democratic resilience."
Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC, stressed that "Today's event is an opportunity to further step up our cooperation with the Council of Europe and advance social rights, such as decent work, access to healthcare, education, affordable housing, and social protection. They are the foundation of human dignity, social cohesion, democratic resilience, and sustainable development."
The President of the European Committee of Social Rights, Aoife Nolan, highlighted the role of social rights in promoting dignity, equality, and inclusion within the wider human rights architecture.
Further contributions were made by representatives of the European Commission, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the International Labour Organization, the European Youth Forum, the Council of Europe Development Bank and various other partners. This initiative builds on the Council of Europe's commitments made in the 2023 Reykjavik Declaration, aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU's European Pillar of Social Rights, and provides a platform for dialogue ahead of the UN's Second World Summit for Social Development.
