The three-day Forum will consider how the financial crisis has impacted the labour market and its consequences for social protection systems in Europe, and will hear how social security institutions are adopting innovative policy responses to cope with unprecedented new challenges.
Participants will also debate how the profound demographic changes in the region will affect the future of pension and health-care systems, and the central role of good governance in responding effectively to a rapidly-changing environment. Over 250 representatives of social security ministries and agencies from over 25 European countries are expected at the event.
The Regional Social Security Forum is organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and is hosted by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), Poland.
Developments and trends of social security in Europe
A new report prepared by the ISSA on developments and trends in social security in the Europe region, Dynamic Social Security for Europe: Choice and Responsibility , has been published for the Forum. The report recognizes the increasingly complex environment facing social security administrators, and highlights their proactive role in minimizing the social impacts of the economic crisis. It warns, however, that important adjustments will be required to maintain current levels of benefits and services. The report will be released on 2 March 2010 and will be available on the ISSA Website ( www.issa.int) and on the ZUS Website ( www.zus.pl/issa).
The ISSA Good Practice Award
The results of the first Good Practice Award for Europe will be announced during a ceremony on 3 March 2010, to recognize outstanding performance and innovation in the administration and operations of social security. The ISSA Good Practice Award programme is organized on a regional basis over a three-year cycle, and the competition for Europe attracted 32 entries from 16 countries representing 19 organizations.