The purpose of the high-level conference is to highlight the importance of social policy in the context of the Lisbon Strategy and to show that a competitive social Union is feasible. Examples of good practice applied by individual Member States in four problem areas are to illustrate successful interrelations between economic, employment and social policies. By involving the social partners in the Conference, we can take account of their important role in shaping and implementing reform measures.

We want the Conference to generate impulses for improved coordination of social protection measures. In particular, the process of mutual learning in the field of employment and social policy can be further intensified and better utilized in the cooperation between Member States.