Brussels, 9 May 2008 – In a letter to President Barroso, EAPN expresses its serious concerns about the lack of respect for the consultation process that the Commission launched on the future social policy agenda for the EU.
In a letter sent to the College of Commissioners ahead of its meeting on 30 April dedicated to the EU social policy agenda, EAPN urges the Commission to deliver a dynamic social agenda responding to the social realities, such as the fact that 78 million people live in poverty in the EU, amongst whom 19 million are in employment.
Brussels, 11 March 2008 – In a letter sent today to EU Prime Ministers ahead of the European Spring Council due to take place on 13-14 March, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) raises questions about whether Member States will strengthen their cooperation to address growing inequalities and seriously tackle the unacceptable high levels of poverty in the EU. EAPN asks the forthcoming Spring Council to give clear answers to four key questions.
Brussels, 28 February 2008 – In its response to the Commission’s consultation on Active Inclusion ending today, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) strongly confirms its support for the Commission’s initiative. EAPN calls on the Member States of the EU to adopt under the French Presidency active inclusion principles which respect the integrity of the active inclusion package and recognises that adequate income and access to quality services are a prerequisite to successful employment and social integration.
Brussels, 16 January 2008 – The European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) launches today its response to the Lisbon Implementation Reports 2007 and the Commission’s Annual Progress Report on the revised Lisbon Strategy. EAPN has established a social inclusion score board assessing the contribution made to social inclusion by the revised Lisbon Strategy.
The European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) launches today an EU wide campaign for Adequate Minimum Income schemes. 24 out of 27 Member States have minimum income schemes in place at this present time, but there are serious flaws with their accessibility and their adequacy. It is time to state clearly that adequate Minimum Income schemes are a fundamental prerequisite for an EU based on social justice and equal opportunities for all!
Speaking at the 2007 General Assembly of the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) held from 8th to 10th November in Budapest and gathering 150 representatives of NGOs working with people experiencing poverty and social exclusion across Europe, EAPN President, Ludo Horemans called for an early start to ensure a successful EU Year against poverty (2010).
At a time when the common principles on Flexicurity to be adopted by the Council on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs in December are being elaborated, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) calls on the EU Employment Ministers to make Flexicurity deliver the social cohesion citizens are expecting.
In its response to the Commission Communication on Flexicurity released late June, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) suggests ways to ensure that the security dimension of Flexicurity is more developed. EAPN calls on Member States to give the objective of social inclusion a higher priority in the Flexicurity debate.
Ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council due to take place in Portugal on 5-7 July, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) calls on EU Social Affairs Ministers to strengthen the social dimension of the Lisbon strategy.