On the occasion of a preparatory meeting for the World Summit for Social Development Review, organised in Brussels on 13-14 January 2005, EAPN has sent a series of messages about reality and progress in the European Union in the field of social development.
In this report, EAPN puts forward its position on the draft regulations issued for the Structural Funds proposed for 2007 to 2013. Key issues affecting social inclusion are identified and highlighted.
While nowhere near dead in the water, the European Social Inclusion Strategy is severely lacking political leadership. It can be kick-started again, but there is no time to lose!
In the final declaration of its 2004 General Assembly, EAPN states: "Diversity in social models in the enlarged EU might be used as an excuse to seek a less social Europe and to view enlargement primarily as an economic and internal market project."
This document is the report of the EAPN Conference which was held in Groningen (Netherlands) on 17-21 November 2004.
On 18-20 November 2004, EAPN held its fifteenth General Assembly in Groningen, Netherlands. This year the key note theme was: “The EU we want – tackling poverty and social exclusion in an enlarged EU”.
This paper was prepared for the Dutch Presidency Conference “A Social Europe – Let’s Deliver”, Rotterdam 8-9 November 2004.
According to EAPN, the Kok report fails to grapple with the complexity of the Lisbon Agenda, and ignores the commitment made in Lisbon in March 2000 in relation to the eradication of poverty and social exclusion.
The report of the High Level Group chaired by Wim Kok in many ways contradicts the ‘Lisbon Agenda’ that was agreed by Heads of State and Governments in 2000 and ignores the commitment that was made in relation to the eradication of poverty and the combat of social exclusion.
EAPN welcomes the proposal as a step towards guaranteeing a future to the learning gained to date through the OMC.