We finally had the opportunity to ask a question directly to the President of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso about what he thinks about what Europe can do to improve the quality of life of families, and the balance of work and family life, live on the 12th September.
The discussion was a follow-up to his State of the Union address on the 11th September, it was organised by Euronews, and following a 20 minute interview it took on a more interactive form in the shape of a Google hangout, and I was one of the 7 participants who could ask him a question directly.
The question was: “Mr. President, I would like to ask you about an issue that is practically an every day dinner-table discussion in every family in Europe, childcare, women’s participation on the labour market, who is taking care of elderly or disabled family members. What can Europe do to improve the quality of the lives of families and whether a European Year for reconciling work and family life could provide an opportunity to work on this together? ”
And here is what he replied: (it starts around the 15 minute mark).
Reconciling Work and Family Life 
Evasive response! We want commitment for Work and Life in Balance in Europe and have the Commission declare 2014 a year with this name.