EAPN Netherlands: News from the network – participation and what way forward in 2014? by Jo Bothmer

October 2013 – EAPN NL had a meeting of old and new organizations which were/are interested in co operating with EAPN NL in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. We were hoping to have at least a few new –might be- members present. So we were positively surprised to see that 8 new organizations, working on local, regional and national level attended this meeting.

8.5 million people in poverty in France

Dec 2012 – This video (http://youtu.be/4bLfywa7IS0) was made for the National Conference against poverty and for social inclusion (Dec 2012), which gathered the French Government, public administration services, NGOs working with People experiencing poverty and People experiencing poverty themselves. All these stakeholders have worked together in thematic workshops for the preparation of the event. The National Council on the fight against poverty and exclusion now has an “Collège” (group) of People experiencing poverty, which is now the 8th Collège member of the National Council.

2013-Suicides-italy-Rue89Lyon

Social Services, crisis and suicides in Italy

23/04/13 – by Nicoletta Teodosi, Cilap Eapn Italy

 

The latest tragic news reports, three person suicides due to financial problems, confirm that social services are experienced as an indignity. Confirms the sense of marginality in which a person can find him/herself in a particular moment in their lives. Conversely Social Services are places where one can be heard and more often than not, find answers. Modesty and shame are the prevalent feelings accompany the people used to live their own lives with dignity and never ask for anyone’s help.