Columbia International Affairs Online
CIAO DATE: 9/5/2007
The Aspect of Culture in the Social Inclusion of Ethnic Minorities Evaluation of the Impact of Inclusion Policies under the Open Method of Co-ordination in the European Union: Assessing the Cultural Policies of Six Member States Final Report Estonia
October 2006
European Centre for Minority Issues
Abstract
The Estonian National Report on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006-2008 has been prepared within the framework of EU Open Method of Coordination and in accordance with updated aims and principles adopted by the Council of Europe in March 2006.
On behalf of the Estonian Government, the Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared the above-mentioned national report in co-operation with other ministries and non-profit organizations. Lack of co-operation between trade unions and the Ministry of Social Affairs, and has, however, meant that trade unions have not taken part. The report is thus state centered, though the very active inclusion of several non-profit organizations (such as Caritas-Estonia etc.) has increased social acceptance of the report.
We are pleased to report very good co-operation between the OMC Project's Estonian partner and the contact person of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mrs. Anne Rähn, which has resulted in a very profound overview of the work carried out in Estonia. Furthermore, proposals presented by the OMC Estonian partners have been taken into consideration and data regarding the integration of unemployed youth included in the national project report.
