This paper sets out to present EAPN’s views, recommendations and concrete proposals on the development of the Open Method of Coordination on social protection and social inclusion (OMC/SPSI), and in particular on the objectives for the streamlined OMC/SPSI.
The work done by EAPN in 2004 is outlined in this report. This report primarily reflects the European level work of EAPN but also gives some snapshots of the work at national level of the EAPN National Networks.
The Structural Funds story may possibly be one of the most exciting – and successful – stories on wealth distribution at supranational level. However, much remains to be done…
The emphasis of the Community Strategic Guidelines is strongly on the ‘jobs and growth’ agenda. The European Anti-Poverty Network has warned many times that growth alone will not solve the problems of poverty and social exclusion in Europe.
The outstanding innovation of the 4th Meeting is to have opened up the dialogue between the “ambassadors” of people experiencing poverty and “invited guests”, the key contacts at official and decision-making levels.
Poverty, loneliness and isolation may not be three sides of a triangle, but they are often parts of a vicious circle that leads to social exclusion.
This response is based on an extensive consultation with the members of EAPN. It reflects the experience of engaging with the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) at National as well as at the European level.
The European Commission is currently preparing the ‘non-paper’ (working document) which will be the first document for discussion on the Strategic Guidelines for the Structural Funds for 2007-2013.
EAPN welcomes the initiative of the Commission to restart concrete attempts to develop an economic migration policy.
In its analysis, EAPN judges the EU Constitutional Treaty in terms of whether it provides the legal and practical instruments, and shows the political intention, to eradicate poverty in the European Union and provide social rights and a voice to people experiencing poverty, social exclusion and discrimination.