AIM
Association Internationale de la Mutualité
EP EMPL Committe hearing
Statute for a
European Mutual Society
20/06/2012
Pedro Bleck da Silva
Chairman of AIM WG on Mutuals
Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Mutuals: long history
 Deeply rooted in Europe’s
Social Systems
 Solidarity: heart of our
welfare systems
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Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Mutual societies
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Person-based societies (no shareholders)
Self-governance
Not-for-profit organisations
Individual application & open enrolment
Democratic governance
Solidarity
In Europe, mutuals within AIM represent
more than 160 million persons
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Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Added value & social
responsibility of mutuals
 EP study on mutuals (08/2011):
Mutuals play a key role in sustaining
social protection systems
There is a growing need for economic
operators with social responsibility
deeply rooted in their organisations
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Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Added value & social
responsibility of mutuals
 EP study on mutuals (08/2011):
• cushion negative consequences of crisis
on citizens
• stabilization tool in our economies
• Bring diversification to make the sector
more competitive and less risky
Crisis represents a unique opportunity
to encourage the mutual business
model as an alternative to strengthen
a sustainable economic and social
development in Europe
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Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Mutuals and Europe
 Has Europe forgotten mutuals?
 No reference in the Treaties
 2009: DIR 2009/138/EC on
Solvency II: art. 2012 c (ii)
But mutuals need a European
statute that allows them to work
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at an European level
Association Internationale de la Mutualité
AIM
Mutuals and Europe
 Need for a statute for a European
Mutual Society
• To develop across Europe
• To benefit of the single market
• To strengthen the European social
model
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AIM
Association Internationale de la Mutualité
EP EMPL Committe hearing
Statute for a
European Mutual Society
THANK YOU!