Category Archives: EAPN News

Semester Alliance: Give a voice to civil society in Europe 2020!

Brussels, 03/12/2014 – Today, the EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable European Semester, a broad coalition bringing together environmental, social and equality NGOs and trade unions, is holding a hearing in the European Parliament hosted by Jean Lambert MEP (Greens/EFA) and Marian Harkin (ALDE). The hearing aims to highlight the missing voice of civil society in the debate on the revision of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and the urgent need to include them as key partners in the EU governance process known as the European Semester, at national and EU level. It will also debate with Parliament and stakeholders, initial reactions to the new AGS 2015 package adopted by the European Commission on Friday the 28th November.

EP Resolution on Employment and Social Aspects of Europe 2020 adopted in Strasbourg

25/11/2014 – Theresolution promoted by Marita Ulvskog acting chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, was adopted in plenary by a good majority. It includes some important commitments promoted by EAPN and the Semester Alliance: including the need for benefits to be spread throughout society, on access for the most vulnerable to social security and the labour market, on civil society involvement, on the job potential of the green economy & on IMF, demand for quality jobs and ILO warnings on the risks of growing inequalities.

Barbara Helfferich, EAPN Director talks to Euronews on Poverty in Europe

14/11/2014 – The extent of poverty in Europe comes under scrutiny in this edition of Utalk. The question is from Kristalina in Sofia, Bulgaria: “One EU citizen in four is said to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion. But what’s behind this figure?”. Barbara Helfferich, Director of the European Anti-Poverty Network responds: “There are 124 million people in the European Union at risk of poverty.That’s a hell of a lot of people and it’s an unexpected number for many people I think.

EAPN takes part in the Annual Convention on Poverty (EPAP)

EAPN, represented by 38 delegates from all over Europe, attended the 4th Annual Convention of the European platform against poverty and social exclusion (#Poverty2020) these 20-21 November and put forward 3 key messages, along with 10 messages from the 13th Meeting of People experiencing Poverty held last September. These messages were released on Thursday 20 November, through a press release. For EAPN, the participation of civil society stakeholders, starting by people experiencing poverty, in decision-making processes is key to poverty eradication.

 

03/12- Save the date Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA) and Marian Harkin (ALDE) host hearing with EU Semester Alliance

Next 03 December, Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA) and Marian Harkin (ALDE) host a HEARING with EU Semester Alliance on Strengthening the legitimacy of the European Semester to get smart, sustainable nd inclusive growth – Giving a Voice to Civil Society proposals for Europe 2020. 03 December 2014 – 9.00-12.30 – European Parliament: PHS 7C50.

Right to Water ECI: Our contribution to the multi-stakeholder dialogue on Benchmarking Water quality and services

03/11/2014 – In response to our ECI “water is a human right!” the European Commission said it would explore “benchmarking” as a way to achieve better quality water services in the EU. As a first step it organised a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the subject and to hear the opinions of stakeholder in water services.

European Civil Society Statement in advance of ECOFIN on 7 November

7/11/2014– European Civil Society Statement in advance of ECOFIN on 7 November signed by more than 1000 organisations and trade unions from 11 European countries representing more than 50 million European citizens

European civil society, including trade unions, deplore the lack of progress made by the 11 Member States negotiating the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT).

It is unacceptable for the Ministers of Finance of France, Italy and Spain to consider watering down proposals under pressure from the financial sector in defiance of public opinion. We strongly urge Ministers Sapin, Padoan and de Guindos to include the taxation of the broadest possible class of derivatives and High Frequency Trading activity.

11/9 Joint seminar in the Parliament: Decent Work, Quality Jobs and Poverty – The Missing Link in Europe 2020 what way forward?

11/09/2014 – The Socialists & Democrats Group of the European Parliament hosted a joint seminar with the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to critically examine how the quality of work and employment are taken up in the Europe 2020 Strategy, both at national and EU levels: what the consequences for poverty and social exclusion are and how we can ensure that decent work and quality jobs are back on the agenda as a priority.