Joint Report on:
Effective participation of civil society in the Mediterranean Partner Countries in the context of demographic and cultural changes in the future of the Union for the Mediterranean
Working Group
Rapporteur:Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD)
National Economic and Labour Council of Italy (CNEL)
Economic and Social Council of Spain
Economic and Social Council of Lebanon
1
1.Introduction
In its conclusions, the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) and Similar Institutions, held in Rabat from 14 to 16 October 2008, referred to the agreement to produce a report on “Effective participation of civil society in the Mediterranean Partner Countries in the context of demographic and cultural changes in the future of the Union for the Mediterranean”.
The report has been drafted by the MCESD, in collaboration with the National Economic and Labour Council of Italy, the Economic and Social Council of Spain, and the Economic and Social Council of Lebanon, in cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
The aims of this report are to identify current demographic and cultural changes and their impact on local, national and regional development in the Euro Mediterranean region, to present examples of good practices that are currently being implemented to address these changes, and to suggest proposals for the effective and active participation of civil society in the drawing up of policies and their implementation to address issues resulting from demographic and cultural changes, in order to promote both social and economic development in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
2.Background
The background document for this report is the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process) on which the UfM was built.
The Barcelona Declaration adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference held on 27 and 28November 1995 recognises “the essential contribution civil society can make in the process of development of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and as an essential factor for greater understanding and closeness between peoples.”[1]
2.1The Union for the Mediterranean
The UfM aims to infuse a new vitality into the Euro-Mediterranean partnership in at least three very important ways: by upgrading the political level of the EU's relationship with its Mediterranean partners, by infusing more co-ownership into our multilateral relations, and by making these relations more concrete and visible through additional regional and sub-regional projects, relevant for the citizens of the region. All dimensions of the process will be open to all participants on an equal footing.
In the concluding remarks of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean it was stated that the ultimate success of the initiative also rests in the hands of citizens, civil society and the active involvement of the private sector[2]. Civil society is deemed to be an important actor in the decisionmaking process.
3.Demographic change
Given the magnitude and the time dimension of the demographic changes in the MPC and the EU, the need for effective institutional frameworks to deal with their impact on the labour markets, economies, social fabric and cultural settings is becoming evident. This chapter focuses on two major demographic changes: namely a) the long-term, steady process of population ageing and b) migration, impacting both sides of the Mediterranean basin.
3.1The process of ageing
Population ageing affects not only the demographic situation in the Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC) but also their economic, social, health, and cultural milieu. Each of these aspects is reflected in the work of civil society (CS) in the MPC. To extent to which the participation of CS is truly effective, depends on its ability to respond productively to the socio-economic challenges of population ageing.
A cursory look at the demographic trends in the MPC reveals discernible differences between Arab countries on the one side, and Israel on the other, as well as among Arab countries themselves. Throughout history, the interplay of cultural, historic, social, economic, political and environmental factors have influenced the respective populations in the MPC. In terms of advances made regarding population ageing, four groups of MPC can be distinguished: a) the fast ageing MPC - Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Lebanon and Tunisia, b) the medium ageing MPC - Egypt, Jordanand Syria, c) the slow ageing MPC- Palestine as an outlier in terms of fertility and ageing, and d) Israel, which has advanced more than the other MPC in terms of population ageing and longevity (Saxena, 2008).
The ageing process in MPC is evidenced in Table 1 and Figure 1 (Annex 1). The countries with a very high total dependency ratio are those which have also experienced a very slow or late demographic transition, namely Palestine (95.5), Syria (69), Jordan (68.5) and Egypt (63.5). Syria and Palestine being the only two countries where the median age of the total population continued to decline in the 1950-2000 period and where the current median age is the lowest (based on the 2000-2010 average). The unemployment issue will became even more exacerbated in these countries in the future.
In the last fifty years, MPC have experienced huge improvements in life expectancy at birth mainly due to the advances made in infant and child mortality (Figure 2, Annex 1)whilethe ‘catching up’has been also achieved for both genders in the ‘below 60 years of age’ age groups(Golini, 2002). CS organisations in charge of the care for elderly population, and more specifically elderly women, should anticipate the consequences of this demographic feature so as to ensure social cohesion in the MPC in this regard.
In view of the huge impact the age-structures have on the economic situation in a country, expressed in terms of the per capita GDP growth rate, it is of the utmost importance that the rapid ageing process in MPC is matched by adequate and sustainable social security and pension systems. “Unfortunately, most of the countries in the region are not anticipating the seriousness of the problems likely to crop up in the future due to a sheer increase in absolute numbers of the elderly population” (Saxena, 2008:37).
The future mortality and morbidity trends will depend on the provisions made through primary and secondary health care systems, social security and protection via social benefits. In these areas, the CS organisations have a huge role to play alongside mainstream government institutions.
The fertility transition in the last half a century or so, was remarkable in almost all MPC, as period fertility rates register a steep decline. Despite the declining trend, the differences among MPC are noteworthy. During the period 1950-2050, the TFRs span from as high as 7.38 children in 1950 in Jordan and Palestine, to an expected low level of 1.85 in the majority of the MPC by 2050 (Figure3, Annex 1). The specificity of high fertility of Palestinian women has to be analysed through the historic and political prism, given that the large cohorts of young people have actually increased fertility levels during the period of the Intifada, reaching levels as high as 8.3 per woman in Gaza in the early 1990s (Khawaja and Randall, 2006).
In the absence of adequate foreign investment in the near future, the youthful structure of the MPC labour force could create significant pressures on social benefits systems in these countries. Moreover, as the labour force ages, and the number of consumers grows at a higher rate than the number of workers, with an unchanged productivity level proviso, the initial bonuses of the first demographic dividend would be lost. This is expected to happen in most MPC by the year 2050 (Mason and Lee, 2006). The MPC could have benefited from the first demographic dividend as they have experienced a faster increase in the numbers of the working age population than that in the corresponding numbers of consumers.
Due to the changes in population structure, the positive - albeit only transitional - effects of the first demographic dividend in the MPC could not be maintained in the long term. However, population ageing and declining young dependency ratios could actually lead towards the second demographic dividend, as older parents with fewer children could save and accumulate more wealth then ever before, thus ensuring more funds for their old age. This could be further institutionalised through the formal channels such as retirement schemes: public (PAYGO), or private (second, occupational pension pillar) or through the informal channels of inter-generational transfer of wealth i.e. familial support systems. “The second demographic dividend would yield positive results, ultimately raising capital per worker without reducing domestic consumption. This however requires an ‘appropriate policy formulation’ as a conditio sine qua non for all developing countries” (Mason and Lee, 2006:11).
Therefore, it is indicative that in terms of population ageing, given the differences in demographic manifestations, effective participation of CS organisations in MPC should differ somewhat from country to country, depending on their own specificities, priorities and defined targets.
3.2Migration and the refugee population
The second very important factor of demographic change with significant impacts on the size and structure of the population MPC, is migration. This element of demographic change is selected because of its immediate effect on both the EU and MPC. The UfM explicitly targets migration both legal and illegal, as it aims to obtain optimum outcomes from these population movements. Migrants (first and second generations together) represent 3.8% of the total EU population, (EU Commission, 2008).
The average age of the MPC emigrants and their higher fertility rate than in the countries of destination, are contributing factors to juvenation of the European population, albeit not with an unlimited duration.
The UN 2050 Population Projections (UN, 2007) indicate a general migration slowdown in the majority of MPC, barring Egypt and Morocco where the volume of emigration flows is set to increase in the future (period 2000-2050). According to these projections, emigration from Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine and Turkey will continue, albeit in reduced numbers (Tables 2 and 3, Annex 1).
The most recent decades have added a faster pace to migration flows, due to the turbulent geo-political, economic and climatic events resulting in the forced movement of people. The refugee figures (Table 4, Annex 1) show the magnitude of the refugee issue in several MPC, namely Palestine, Jordan and Israel, where percentage shares of the refugee population are the highest.In terms of sheer refugee population size, Turkey, Egypt and Algeria top the list of the MPC. The role of CS in terms of provision of services such as housing, food and medicine provision, education and care for these displaced persons is of paramount importance, both in the MPC as well as in the EU MS.
3.3Future trends
The UN 2050 population projections point to radical changes in demographic features in almost all MPC. Their population age-sex pyramid is poised to reshape itself, generally into a cylindrical age-sex profile due to fertility decline, longevity and emigration.
The demographic success of the UfM depends on the articulation of the migration stream from the Southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the management of resources from the EU. The issue of increased investment in harnessing the negative repercussions of unemployment and irregular migration might prove crucial in medium term.
4.Cultural changes
Background
The complexities in the South, and especially those prevailing in the Mediterranean region, require further investigations. The contributions of both governmental and non-governmental organisations, that are already engaged in debate and recommendations on social capital, can be further enhanced. The mindset of different stakeholders and those of populations can be progressively changed to account for further ingredients that enhance cooperation not just on economic grounds, but also in other dimensions that are recognised to create material and immaterial wealth for both the North and South Mediterranean regions.
Data on cultural changes, being a complex issue, is very hard to find. However, initiatives taken by the Anna Lindh Foundation could prove to be a valuable source to draw from.
“Closer cross-cultural co-operation can only be achieved if a more concerted effort is made to seek a convergence on the basic values that are part and parcel of the civilisations surrounding the Mediterranean area. The establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Anna Lindh Foundation in Alexandria in 2005 that seeks to promote a dialogue between cultures and civilisation around the Mediterranean offers this possibility”[3].
“Having established during its first phase of operation a region-wide network of over two thousand civil society organisations, the Foundation is now preparing to influence more directly mutual perceptions in the Mediterranean. The Anna Lindh Foundation is now focusing its programme of activities on seeking to bridge the gap in misunderstanding between people and communities and rebuilding human and cultural bridges across the Mediterranean.”[4]
4.1Ideas and ideologies
“In the ideological battlefield, cultural diversity is often used as an instrument of political struggle which has degenerated in open xenophobia, populism and different forms of extremism, converting certain communities or cultures in a target. This trend has to be challenged, together with intellectuals, writers and leading figures who contribute to shape public opinions in the region.”[5]
4.2Education
“Education is one of the fields where individuals are being prepared, from the very beginning, to welcome or refuse “the difference”, and where they get intellectual tools for interpreting the reality they live in. Schools are the environment which can help human beings develop a sense of critical and independent thinking and the capacity to discern facts with rationality and tolerance.”[6]
4.3Culture
“Cultural production is a field where images and perceptions are shaped and reshaped through the impact of globalisation, causing contradictory consequences for a better understanding and coexistence in the region. On one side, the worldwide circulation of cultural products may have a positive impact in terms of mutual knowledge and cultural cross fertilisation. On the other side, the cultural exchange among European and Southern countries of the Euro-Med region is limited and biased by the unequal capacity of the cultural industry of the two shores of the Mediterranean, the lack of translations and the power of the North-American cultural business.”[7]
4.4Religion, spirituality and values
“Religions have historically been seized away from their original spiritual meaning and used as ideological tools with a powerful impact on society in support of wars and conflicts. Europe and the Mediterranean has been, probably, the most important laboratory for the political manipulation of religions. The so-called Clash of Civilisations is perceived, in fact, as a Clash of Religions, particularly after the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the subsequent consequences for the region. Inter-religious dialogue is a field where many and relevant actors have been playing since many years, and encouraging actions took place in 2008, such as the dialogue between the Catholic Pope and Islamic leaders, or the interfaith conference organised by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, at the United Nations, in New York, with the participation of representatives of the three religions of the Book.”[8]
5.The role of civil society in response to demographic and cultural changes
Civil society organisations and the social partners have a particularly important role to play in ensuring the coherence and effectiveness of the social processes of integrating immigrants, men, women and children and addressing their respective needs. Establishing reception and integration policies and programmes for immigrants should be in tandem with the widespread participation and direct involvement of social organisations and immigrant associations.
5.1The social integration of immigrants
Integration is a two-way process, founded on the rights and obligations of third country nationals and the host society, enabling immigrants to participate fully. This two-way approach means that integration applies not only to immigrants, but also to the host society. Integration policies must shape both sides, the purpose being to achieve a society in which all citizens have the same rights and obligations, and share the values of a democratic, open and pluralist society.
The fundamental challenge facing civil society organisations is to foster an integrationfriendly attitude among European host societies. The social partners, human rights organisations, cultural and sports associations, faith communities, neighbourhood associations, educational communities, the media and so on must be at the forefront of integration.
Discrimination at work is also an obstacle to successful businesses. Workplace integration, ensuring equal treatment free of work-related discrimination vis-à-vis national workers, is a prerequisite for business success and social integration. Gender bias needs to be considered as a primary issue in the socio-political contexts and in the overall development of economic growth.