Introduction

We are proud to announce the Yearly Conference of the European Institute of Social Security (EISS), organised in cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the Ljubljana University, which will be held in Ljubljana on the 29th and 30th of September 2011.  

The intention of the conference is to tackle the ever interesting and challenging topic of “Changing Social Security”. It goes without saying, that the duty of the legislature, emanating from the state being governed by the rule of law principle, is to modify social security law with regular (although not arbitrary and not too often) legislative changes to reflect the ever changing social relations. Social security should be a faithful companion with appropriate social security benefits that should be in place when social risks materialise. Protection levels that aim at guaranteeing the acquired stand of living have to be the objective. Poverty and social exclusion have to be prevented or alleviated to enable the free development of individuals and society as a whole. 

It could be observed, that due to societal evolutions social security systems are more often subject to changes. However policy makers are not completely free in changing the systems. They have to take into account some new legal and societal frameworks. On the other hand these frameworks can also offer an opportunity to better justify the changes to the people and to embark on the more comprehensive modifications of social security system. 

Changes of social security systems have to be legitimised from a human rights perspective and within the limits set in national constitutions and international human rights instruments. Moreover, social security competences of the European Union are gaining importance, also due to the decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ). They may also influence the shaping of national social security systems. 

Finally, changes to social security as such could not be of major importance, if they are not properly implemented, using specific implementation models and information technology. All these are the topics to be tackled at the Ljubljana Conference. 

We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us in the beautiful capital of Slovenia in September, and contribute to the most interesting discussions. We are indeed looking forward to welcome you in Ljubljana soon. 

Yours sincerely,

 

                                         The organisational committee

Supporters of the conference EISS The organisation of the conference is kindly supported by: