Ending Poverty is a Political Choice!

EAPN Press releases

EAPN releases its key messages to the 3rd Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, calling on the EU and Member States to take concrete action to reach the agreed poverty target under Europe 2020, reviewed by a yearly Hearing with people experiencing poverty.

Brussels, 27 November 2013 – EAPN is one of the key stakeholders participating in the 3rdAnnual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, one of the Flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, taking place these 26-27 November 2013 in Brussels. On that occasion, EAPN recalls that the EU and Member States not only failed to reduce poverty despite their commitment to it, but on the contrary, contributed to the rise in poverty and inequalities through macroeconomic priorities and governance focused on austerity. For EAPN, this Annual Convention must get back to basics: Talk about the realities and the role of EU policies, discuss what policies are needed to ensure rapid progress to the target, and strive to put people experiencing poverty – their concerns and their solutions at the heart.

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WORKING AND POOR: EAPN launches position paper on in-work poverty at the Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion

EAPN News

In-work poverty means that some people are still experiencing poverty, despite holding a job. From 2010 to 2013, EAPN has closely monitored and mapped the situation in Member States, as well as the effect of different policy options towards solving the situation, or making it worse. The position paper aims to set out EAPN’s developing analysis of the issue of in-work poverty, and to contribute to the debate, highlighting the different situations across Europe, including the role of low pay, the structure and increased segmentation of the labour market, the role of benefit and taxation policies, and individual characteristics. Building on the extensive work done by EAPN members, key concerns are outlined, and the impact of various policies in different countries discussed, including the negative impact of the economic crisis and austerity measures. The paper brings the stories of the people themselves into the spotlight, and makes a plea for participation and democracy, as the foundation for formulating concrete proposals and ways forward on how to effectively combat in-work poverty. The role of the EU in fighting this growing phenomenon is clearly underlined.

EAPN takes its Key Messages to the 3rd Annual Convention on Poverty and Social Exclusion!

EAPN News

The Third Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, one of the Flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy, took place on 26-27 November 2013 in Brussels. Over 50 EAPN national members participated, as well as European Organisations members of EAPN. As in previous years, EAPN spoke in a number of settings during the Convention. EAPN was also active in workshops and side events.

EAPN sends joint letter to MEPs on Social Dimension of the EMU

EAPN News

 

20/11/2013 – EAPN together with other social/health NGOs (EPHA, Age-Platform, Eurodiaconia,  Social Platform and Caritas Europa ) took joint action on the EP Resolution on the Social Dimension of the EMU to be voted on in plenary tomorrow, 21st November. The letter calls for support to amendment 10  proposing that economic and social indicators are put on an equal footing, in order to support coherent EU policy approach and rejection of amendment 9 which would limit the engagement of stakeholders to only social partners, excluding civil society. Social NGOs hope for a strong resolution that can help to press for an effective implementation of this new Commission attempt to strengthen the Social Pillar in the EMU.

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2013 European Meeting of People experiencing poverty REPORTS are out!

EAPN News

Brussels, 22 November 2013 – From 18 till 20 June, on the Esplanade in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, EAPN held the 12th Meeting of People experiencing poverty on “What we can learn from the experiences of poverty today”. Gathering delegations of people experiencing poverty and activists from all the EU countries, this meeting was also an significant event in the calendar of the 2013 European Year of the Citizen. The reports are now available.

Sergio Aires, president of EAPN, meets with Commissioner Andor

EAPN News

Brussels, 18/11/2013 – During the meeting, Commissioner Andor reconfirmed his commitment to such EU-level meetings of people experiencing poverty. He pointed out that systematic involvement of people experiencing poverty in decision-making at national and European levels leads to more effective social measures, and added that such meetings “send a clear and important message that we want Europe to be inclusive.” Regarding timing,