Press Conference: Social NGOs’ Key demands for 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion

The Coalition of NGO networks active in fighting against poverty and social exclusion will hold a Press Conference on Tuesday 19 January 2010, at Les Petits Riens, in Brussels, to present its key demands for the outcome of 2010, European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. On this occasion, the Coalition will also launch its website.

2010 has been designated as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. The Year comes during a time of severe financial, economic and social crisis.  

According to the last Eurobarometer survey, 73% of Europeans consider poverty to be a widespread problem in their country while 89% want urgent action by their government to tackle the problem.*

Against a bleak picture of nearly 80 million people – or 16% of the EU population – living below the poverty line, and facing serious obstacles in accessing employment, education, housing, social and financial services, the survey sheds light on the many facets of poverty and social exclusion.

Two days before the official Opening of the European Year in Madrid by the European institutions, social NGOs will present their key demands for the outcomes of the year.

Part of the necessary response to this crisis is the renewal of a common vision for the type of society we want to create.  A commitment to building a Europe where women and men of all ages can live free of poverty and social exclusion, should be the legacy of the 2010 Year.

*Eurobarometer survey on attitudes to poverty and social exclusion presented by the European Commission, 27 October 2009.

Panel of speakers
 
Fintan Farrell, Director, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
Freek Spinnewijn, Director, European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
Sophie Kammerer, Policy Officer, European Network Against Racism (ENAR)
Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General, Eurochild
Myria Vassiliadou, Secretary General, European Women’s Lobby (EWL)

Practical details

This Press Conference is a great opportunity for journalists to meet with social NGOs jointly and individually early in the European year.

Contact person: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / 0032 (2) 226 58 63

If you cannot attend the press conference but wish to receive the press pack, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Invitation to the Press Conference - full document