The Commission renews the OMC. Business as usual?

(B2) The European Commission renewed, on 2 July 2008, its commitment to the open method of coordination (OMC) in the field of social protection and social inclusion. Launched in 2000, this method aims to organize a process of voluntary self-assessment of the means implemented to fight against poverty. The Commission intends first of all to increase the political commitment and visibility of the OMC and to strengthen political interaction with other Community policies. Then, it intends to consolidate the analysis tools and define the quantitative objectives and reinforce the appropriation of good practices in the Member States. The Commission recognizes that despite the efforts made, poverty still represents 16% of citizens, including 19% of children. without really questioning the method, however..."criticizable, at least improvable".

(NGV)