26/09/2014 – EAPN spoke in Eurodiaconia’s internal seminar on the Mid-Term Review of Europe 2020 in a panel on stakeholder involvement. EAPN presented the current experience of attempting to engage in the European Semester at national level from the EU Semester Alliance reflecting the experience of 16 social and civil organization members.
25-26/09/2014 – This important joint ETUI-ETUC conference was held on the 25-26 September, exploring the concrete challenges to moving Europe forward on quality jobs and services in the new Commission/Parliament context.
Mark the dates! 30 national conferences to discuss Minimum Income Schemes in the EU #eminetwork – the quality of minimum income schemes in European countries – This is the topic of 30 national conferences happening this year between June and mid-October in 30 European countries and culminating by an EU-level conference on 06 November 2014 in Brussels, to take stock of the outcomes of all the national discussions.
26/09/2014 -The questions to the Commissioner-designate for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion include the implementation of the EC Recommendation to address child poverty “Investing in Children”, Europe 2020 and the Social Dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union.
We are delighted to welcome you on this new website dedicated to PeP Meetings, compiling all the information related to this year’s Meeting but also to the past Meetings. The 13th European Meeting of People experiencing Poverty (PeP) will take place from 22 to 24 September 2014 in Brussels. The theme of this Year’s meeting is funding the fight against poverty and in particular will look at the use of Structural Funds as part of the key European Funds available. The European Meeting is only the tip of the iceberg and many national and local events and initiatives feed into and follow up from the European meetings.
Mark the dates! 30 national conferences to discuss Minimum Income Schemes in the EU #eminetwork – Social insecurity is growing in Europe. European states, once hailed as models of comprehensive social protection systems, are undergoing dramatic reforms. What is happening to the European dream and model of quality employment and high-level social protection? This question is closely linked to the quality of minimum income schemes in European countries.
PICUM together with other child rights related organisations which include EAPN sent a letter to Members of the EU Parliament (MEPs) on 10 September 2014 regarding questions on migrant children’s rights for Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner-designate for Migration and Home Affairs.
09/09/2014 – Last Friday, the Semester Alliance proposed amendments to EP’s Reports on the European Semester to press for more democratic, and social and sustainable Semester, including support for national engagement and alliances.
05/09/2014 – The EU Semester Alliance has prepared questions to probe the Commissioner-Designates’ commitment to progress on the social, sustainable and equality targets and commitments of Europe 2020 and the European Semester, through strengthening democratic legitimacy and social and civil dialogue engagement, particularly in the context of the Mid-Term Review of the Europe 2020 strategy to be carried out in 2015.
It was with deep sadness and shock that Friday 15 August we received the news about the loss of two very important women for all of us in EAPN family: Alida Smeekes (EAPN Netherlands) and Ruth Brand (EAPN Germany). They were both strong and devoted founding members of our network and contributed deeply for the fight against poverty and social exclusion. We would like to express our deep condolences to their families and friends and remember all of us that the best way to honor them is to preserve their lasting legacy in our hearts, thoughts and actions.
Sérgio Aires: President of EAPN
If you should wish to contribute a message or a memory you have of Ruth or Alida please send an email to fintan.farrell@eapn.eu by 5 September. We will put these messages together and send to the families and Networks concerned and put them on our website as a tribute to the lives of these two women who have contributed from their strengths and convictions to the story of EAPN and the fight against poverty.
Photographs
1 – Alides Smeekes at the 9th EU Meeting of People Experiencing Poverty
2 – Ruth Brand at the Social Forum