Making the Case for Social and Economic Inclusion. 2000.

A paper and annotated bibliography to examine the history of social inclusion policy in Europe and its implications for Atlantic Canada.
By Janet Guildford
51 pages
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Description

Making the Case for Social and Economic Inclusion examines the development of policies and programs to combat social exclusion in Europe over the past decade, and the potential of social inclusion for contributing to the development of healthy social policy in the Atlantic region. The 31-page discussion paper is intended for all those interested in social policy, including people working at all levels of government and those who work with community organizations. It is accompanied by a 19-page annotated bibliography of articles, reports and books relating to the concept of social inclusion.

What is social and economic inclusion? To be included is to be accepted and to be able to participate fully within our families, our communities and our society. Those who are excluded, whether because of poverty, ill health, gender, race, or lack of education, do not have the opportunity for full participation in the economic and social benefits of society. The United Kingdom Liaison Committee to the European Anti-Poverty Network describes the impact of social exclusion as "a forced exclusion from power." Partnership, innovation and leadership are the key ingredients in developing effective policies to combat social exclusion and promote social inclusion.

The report identifies four lessons from the European experience for countering the erosion of national programs that address regional disparity in Atlantic Canada:

• The costs and problems associated with social exclusion, including the very high costs associated with poor health, must be more highly publicized.
• Alliances and partnerships are necessary to bring about change.
• The concept of social inclusion has offered Europeans a new way to think about the problems of economic development and social policy and has underscored the importance of addressing the problems in tandem.
• Social and economic inclusion has brought a diversity of groups, including governments, business, labour and community groups, to the policy development process.

The paper concludes that PPHB Atlantic's commitment to population health has placed it in a strategic position to offer valuable leadership in developing healthy social policy that promotes social inclusion. The Population and Public Health Branch has extensive experience in building the relationships necessary to realize the potential of this approach. The social inclusion approach has challenged Europe to develop innovative and effective new policies. PPHB Atlantic is well placed to take up that challenge in Canada.

Credits

Making the Case for Social and Economic Inclusion was produced by Janet Guildford for the Atlantic Regional Office of the Population and Public Health Branch, Health Canada. Douglas Vaisey, Reference Librarian at St Mary's University, provided extensive support for the annotated bibliography.

Availability

This publication is available for download in English (733 KB) and French (823 KB). You will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

For more information on obtaining copies of the document, call or write

Public Health Agency of Canada
Suite 1525, 15th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3Y6
Tel: (902) 426-2700
Fax: (902) 426-9689
E-mail: atlantic-atlantique@phac-aspc.gc.ca