The European Sunday Alliance invites you to a European Parliamentary Breakfast event, hosted by MEPs Miriam Lexmann and Tomáš Zdechovský on:

The importance of ‘Sunday protection’ in EU policy initiatives on mental health and loneliness

European Parliament ASP MEP Salon (ground floor)
Language: English

Wednesday, April 10 2024, 8:00-9:30 o’clock
(pick-up at Esplanade entrance to the ASP building by 7:40 o’clock)

Send an email to [email protected] if you are interested to participate

In its comprehensive approach to mental health, published on June 7 2023, the European Commission stressed that the complexity and increasing challenges that our European society encounters with regard to mental health and loneliness requires a holistic strategy recognising the importance of the family, community, economy, society, the environment and security. Being committed to address increasing loneliness in the EU, the Commission launched a pilot project on loneliness in June 2023. According to the Commission, loneliness is a complex and widespread issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Loneliness is considered a risk factor for mental and physical health and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It can also have significant negative social and economic consequences. “Loneliness is not just a private and individual issue, “the report says. “It may impede social cohesion and should be regarded as a social problem and addressed as such”. “Favourable economic situations, as well as the quantity and quality of social interactions, are key when it comes to preventing loneliness,” the report adds.

Also, in its comprehensive approach to mental health, the European Commission stresses that psychosocial risks and work-related stress are among the most challenging issues in occupational safety and health. It consequently committed to present, in the medium-term, an EU-level initiative on psychosocial risks at work, together with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

The European Sunday Alliance invites interested policy makers and stakeholders to a European Parliamentary breakfast to discuss the role of synchronized free time as an element in addressing mental health issues and loneliness, by debating:

What positive impact can improved work-life balance have on psychosocial health and subsequent illness-related absenteeism at work?
What is the specific impact of synchronised free time on mental health as opposed to scattered free resting days during the week?
Subsequently, which scope could an EU-level initiative on psychosocial risks at work take?
How can an effective work-life balance and synchronised free time for workers reduce loneliness and social isolation?
How can people be supported in their pursuit of an improved work-life balance and in countering loneliness and social isolation in the society? How can a higher participation in joint societal communities be fostered, including in the areas of cultural, faith- and sports-related activities and volunteering?
What does this mean for further plans of the European Commission for the roll-out of its recently launched loneliness project?

until 7:40  Pick-up at Esplanade entrance to the ASP building

8:00  Welcome addresses
MEPs Miriam Lexmann (EPP), Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP) & Evelyn Regner (S&D, by video)
Members of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

8:20  Supporting synchronized free time? The role of the European Commission’s loneliness project in reducing social isolation in society
Béatrice Dhombres
Project Coordinator ‘Fairness and Loneliness’ at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC)

8:40  Synchronised free time as a recipe for mental health and against loneliness in a society driven by accelerated digitalisation
Stefan Eirich, President of the German Catholic Workers’ Movement (KAB)
Antonella Sinagoga, Expert on Parish and Family for the Salesian Youth Ministry Department

08:55  Discussion with the audience

9:25  Conclusions
Steering Committee of the European Sunday Alliance

Co-moderated by Members of the Steering Committee of the European Sunday Alliance: Franziska Kuster, Hendrik Meerkamp (CESI), Alix de Wasseige and Maria Waszkiewicz

**The European Sunday Alliance is a broad network of more than 100 national Sunday Alliances, trade unions, employers’ organisations, civil society organisations, churches and religious communities committed to raise awareness of the unique value of synchronised free time for our European societies. http://www.europeansundayalliance.eu/**