Social welfare policies are essential in addressing the global economic crisis, Italian Welfare Minister Maurizio Sacconi told the Group of Eight nations (G8) Social Summit meeting in Rome on Monday.
Speaking on the second day of the 'People First' meeting, which also includes ministers from the Group of Five (G5) (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa) and Egypt, Sacconi said welfare policies could serve as a catalyst to end the crisis.
Such policies ''can act as the motor for (economic) recovery because the task is restoring people's faith in the future''.
Sacconi stressed that this could be accomplished by helping society's weakest groups: the unemployed, women and young people who have difficulty finding jobs and older workers who are often marginalised.
''The main priority is guaranteeing the unemployed an income,'' he said.
But aside from providing unemployment insurance, it is important to address other fundamental needs such as health and education, he said.
Referring directly to concern over the crisis which he said was ''increasing every day'', Sacconi urged international organisations to play their part by fostering an optimist outlook.
When providing projections on the future they should also report on the possible positive outcome of the crisis.
''No international organisation was able to prevent, forecast or deal with the crisis, said Sacconi.
''We've seen plenty of forecasts but no one provided a timely warning and I'm referring to international organisations, research centres and rating agencies''.
''This must no longer happen. We need useful instruments to prevent and forecast crises''.
The Summit was organised by Italy in its capacity as G8 president in 2009.
Representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are also attending the gathering.
The G8 comprises Italy, Japan, the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Canada and Russia.
