German Social Insurance European Representation celebrates its anniversary
30 years-long – the voice of German social insurance in Europe
ANG – 06/2023
30 years of European Representation of the German Social Insurance (DSV) in Brussels – 30 years of
commitment to a social Europe and to social cohesion. And this is only possible
because in 1993, top organisations of the statutory health insurance and
long-term care insurance, as well as the accident and pension insurance, joined
forces with a common goal in mind: strengthening the representation of
interests in social and health policies by establishing a local representation
in Brussels - the German Social Insurance European Representation.
The decision at that time was
both forward-looking and groundbreaking. Forward-looking, because with the
establishment of the single market, Europe was growing closer together. Labour
mobility increased and European policy became more important for German Social
Insurance. That is why it is no coincidence that 1993 is the founding year of
the DSV.
Pioneering, as DSV was the first national social security system to be
represented in Brussels. Representative offices from other Member States
followed about ten years later. Being represented locally – this step was
consistent and correct in order to be able to effectively introduce the
concerns of the German Social Insurance system into European politics. For
example, the DSV was able to successfully lobby in
Brussels for the improvement of working conditions for people in Europe, access
to social security services or the possibilities of cross-border medical care.
The DSV also accompanied the implementation of the
European Pillar of Social Rights.
30 years after DSV was
founded, European health and social policies have evolved. Even though the
design is still largely within the competence of the Member States, political
initiatives have increasingly been launched at EU level in recent years, which
the DSV follows closely.
Congratulations from politics and the Board of Directors
The political work of the
German Social Insurance (DSV) would not be possible without close partners who
have accompanied and supported it for years. The European Commission as well as
numerous Members of the European Parliament congratulated DSV on its
anniversary. Among the well-wishers is the German Social Insurance (DSV) board,
which emphasises the importance of the presence of the European representation
in Brussels. The Congratulations from the MEPs and the European Commission as well as the Greetings of the Executive Board can be found on the anniversary page.
On the occasion of its
anniversary, DSV has also modernised its website
and looks back not only on its own history but also on the history of social insurance
in a new section on the anniversary.
Anniversary event: Bismarck on the move: Get digital. Go green.
On 27 June, in view of the
30th anniversary, the German Social Insurance (DSV) is also organising a
specialist conference in Brussels titled "140 Years of Social Security
System - 30 Years of the Single Market. Bismarck on the move: Get digital. Go
green". In two panel discussions, high-ranking politicians will speak with
DSV Board on the topics of digitisation, climate change
and the impact on social systems. This will be followed by a festive evening
reception. For more information about the programme, please visit our website.