The National Poverty Conference (or German PEP Meeting) was held in Berlin between November 6-8. It gathered dozens of activists and civil society organisations, including 100 people with lived experience of poverty from different local organisations. The National Poverty Conference is an alliance of welfare organisations and initiatives that address the needs of people experiencing poverty. This was the 18th edition. Organisations participating included Diakonie, Caritas, Arbeiterwohlfahrt, the Paritätische Gesamtverband (Parity Welfare Association), the Federal Association for Homeless Assistance, several specialist associations, and the German Trade Union Confederation.
This year’s conference particularly focused on psychological support and protection from psychological harm, the reform of the basic income support, child and youth poverty and the lack of a social emergency law, and shortcomings in housing and education.
Demands included:
- Prevention services outside of acute psychiatric care. Anonymous, low-threshold, target group-specific counseling and free therapy services that must be available around the clock and free of charge to those seeking advice.
- End to discrimination of people experiencing mental illness, which is often connected to poverty.
- A poverty-proof basic income, including a standard rate for healthy nutrition.
- A social emergency law: in the event of a crisis, the Bundestag should be able to declare a social emergency and increase social benefits.
- Better resources for job centers, providing effective assistance.
- Secure and consistent access to housing, even when receiving benefits.
- Accessible education.
- A nation-wide social ticket for mobility.
- Adequate retirement position.