These reflections on the sharing of social responsibilities as proposed by the Council of Europe pave the way for asserting concepts and forms of behaviour that, while acknowledging differences in status and authority, can nevertheless promote multiple opportunities for deliberation, joint decision making, co-operation and reciprocity between stakeholders. If we are to avoid conflict and destruction in the face of growing interdependence, it is essential to reformulate current social choices, ensuring that social, intergenerational and environmental justice lie at their very heart.This volume, like the previous one on the same theme, calls us to take action by once again heeding a key social function: when making choices and decisions, taking into consideration the expectations and preferences of the different players and citizens, and in so doing to promote transparency. Failure to exercise this function will destroy our human, natural and knowledge - and solidarity-based resources, without which efforts to make any long-term progress would be to no avail.By advocating an approach of shared social responsibilities, this volume also takes a fresh look at conceptual and legal frameworks, and goods as facilitators of life together.This publication will contribute to social debate and alert citizens to the need to develop opportunities for multi-stakeholder, multi-level and multi-sectoral exchanges, decision making and action, providing the same opportunities for the weakest as for the strongest and placing an emphasis on equitable access in a long-term perspective.
Foreword
Introduction: (Re)learning to share social responsibilities to build a secure and dignified future for all
Part I: Taking interdependences seriously - Conceptual frameworks for shared social responsibilities
Shared social responsibility - A concept in search of its political meaning and promise
Sharing social responsibilities - Reflections on the draft European charter of shared social responsibilities
Encouraging coherency between visions and behaviours - In search of moral resources for sharing social responsibilities
The interrelationship between human rights, common goods and democracy, and its role in the sharing of social responsibilities
Part II: Encouraging the participation of "weak" actors and making "strong" actors responsible - Legal and political frameworks for sharing social responsibilities
How to move from "societies of fear" to sharing a common destiny - General conditions and legal instruments for sharing social responsibilities
Enterprises as players sharing social responsibilities
A voice to be heard - Citizenship rights and political participation of the "new" poor in contemporary European democracies
The sharing of social responsibilities in practice - The experience of two towns of the Cittaslow network
Appendix 1 - Motion approved on 28 July 2011 by the municipality of Novellara - Protecting and supporting the fundamental rights of minors and women
Appendix 2 -Town Charter of Novellara
These reflections on the sharing of social responsibilities as proposed by the Council of Europe pave the way for asserting concepts and forms of behaviour that, while acknowledging differences in status and authority, can nevertheless promote multiple opportunities for deliberation, joint decision making, co-operation and reciprocity between stakeholders. If we are to avoid conflict and destruction in the face of growing interdependence, it is essential to reformulate current social choices, ensuring that social, intergenerational and environmental justice lie at their very heart.This volume, like the previous one on the same theme, calls us to take action by once again heeding a key social function: when making choices and decisions, taking into consideration the expectations and preferences of the different players and citizens, and in so doing to promote transparency. Failure to exercise this function will destroy our human, natural and knowledge - and solidarity-based resources, without which efforts to make any long-term progress would be to no avail.By advocating an approach of shared social responsibilities, this volume also takes a fresh look at conceptual and legal frameworks, and goods as facilitators of life together.This publication will contribute to social debate and alert citizens to the need to develop opportunities for multi-stakeholder, multi-level and multi-sectoral exchanges, decision making and action, providing the same opportunities for the weakest as for the strongest and placing an emphasis on equitable access in a long-term perspective.
