What’s up at the EU level?
EAPN Europe as well as representatives of the EAPN national networks and people experiencing poverty from all over Europe took active part in the Round table on poverty and social exclusion which took place in Marseille (France) on 15 and 16 October.
On this occasion, EAPN presented the report of the 7th European meeting of people experiencing poverty which was held on 16-17 May this year in Brussels as well as a video highlighting the main messages of this meeting, made in cooperation with the DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission.
The Marseille round table, aiming to bring together all the actors in the field to develop specific proposals to combat poverty and exclusion, focused on the subject of the active inclusion strategy for the people furthest from the labour market, a topic on which EAPN has been active for a long time (see EAPN’s vision on Active inclusion). The work of the round table was also meant to help prepare for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in 2010.
What’s up in your country?
Every year the EAPN national networks as well as their members working on the ground take active part on the world day for the eradication of poverty, organising public events and activities to speak about their efforts in fighting poverty and exclusion in their countries.
Discover the range of activities we have selected for you this year…
Austria: Put the fight against poverty high up on the agenda of the future Austrian government!
The Austrian network used the occasion of the 17th of October to send an open letter to the two party leaders of the social democrats and people’s party (conservatives) who have started negotiations to form a new government.
EAPN Austria has asked them to put the fight against poverty high up on the agenda of the future government and to undertake a ‘real and effective’ national action plan for the prevention of and the fight against poverty and social exclusion.
EAPN Austria also published its own ‘Action Plan’ – which they also understand as a ‘shadow report’ to the Austrian National Action Plan on Social Inclusion. This national action plan is, in according to EAPN Austria, only a ‘report’ for the Commission but not a real national action plan.
For more information: http://www.armutskonferenz.at/
Belgium: Hang a white sheet out of your window!
On 17 October, EAPN Belgium was mobilised against poverty through various initiatives ranging from a national awareness raising event to local events in the different regions of the country.
Two particular events are worth being highlighted:
- Sainte Catherine Square, in the centre of Brussels, was the central point for this powerful initiative at national level. From 10 am till 2 p.m there were concerts, theater plays and exhibition organised by artists but also associations where people experiencing poverty take the floor.
- In Namur, a “lantern parade” was organised in the evening of the 17th of October to raise attention on the fact that too many people around us still live in poverty.
A world without poverty is a matter for everyone. Hang on that day a knotted sheet from your window, as sign of your resistance against poverty!
For more information: www.17oktober.be or www.17octobre.be
Czech Republic: Focus on the fight against indebtness and usury
On the 17th of October EAPN Czech Republic held a national meeting of organisations fighting indebtness and usury.
A wide range of events and activities were also organised on that date all over the country.
Denmark celebrates the day against homelessness
In Denmark, the day is celebrated as the day against homelessness.
A big event was organised on the City Hall Square in Copenhagen with tents with shelters, distribution of second hand clothes, information booths, counselling, entertainments and presentation of the homeless prize.
This event was organised by 12 social organisations and institutions.
For more information: http://www.eapn.dk/
Luxembourg: Focus on access to decent housing
On 17th of October, EAPN Luxembourg organised a press conference where it presented the report of the National meeting on social inclusion it organised last April on the theme: “Housing, access to services and essential products”.
On this occasion, EAPN Luxembourg also announced the setting up next year of a “social real estate”.
For more information: http://www.eapn.lu/
Poland presented results to the 7th European meeting of people experiencing poverty to the Ombudsman for the protection of Civil Rights
EAPN Poland took active part in the event organized every year in Warsaw on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of poverty by the Polish Ombudsman for the protection of Civil Rights.
On this occasion, EAPN Poland presented the results of 7th European meeting of People experiencing poverty with the participation of the people in poverty themselves.
More information: www.przeciw-ubostwu.rpo.gov.pl
Portugal: People experiencing poverty take the floor
In order to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, EAPN/ Portugal organised 3 Regional Forums gathering People experiencing poverty.
The forums took place on the 10th of October in Northern, Central and Southern Regions, with representatives of the following sectors present: Social Security, Employment and Professional Formation, Health, Accommodation and Education.
These forums followed a methodology similar to the European Meetings, and were intended to be a discussion and evaluation of social policies in Portugal by those who live in poverty. From these forums a document was produced, which served as the basis for the declaration that EAPN/ Portugal made to the civil society and the public in general on October 17th.
The 18 local networks of EAPN/Portugal had scheduled a variety of activities for the 17th of October, including: seminar, workshops, cultural events, information and sensitization actions, a march against poverty and articles in the press (local and regional).For more information: http://www.reapn.org/agenda.php
Romania focuses on children
The Romanian network (RENASIS) organised with FOND (Romanian network of NGO for Development) on 17 October an exhibition entitled “Play with me” and featuring drawings made by children.
Through this exhibition, children from 5 different schools and kindergarten from Bucharest and from OLT (a district in south Romania) wanted to show how they can play with a child who has no opportunity to play because of poverty (lack of toys, disabilities etc.).
The event was presented on 2 radio stations with live interviews about RENASIS and the importance of the day.
Spain: Social inclusion in focus
On 17 October, EAPN Spain was mobilised against poverty through various initiatives.
In Andalusia, a press conference was organised presenting of a short movie which shows different views of poverty.
In the Baleares Islands, there was a photo exhibition entitled “Social Inclusion Stories”, featuring stories which show the human dimension of poverty and its reality in Mallorca.
In Castilla La Mancha, a seminar on participation which gathered 40 users aimed at promoting the participation as a way to promote social inclusion. In the Basque country, various initiatives took place ranging from a press conference to street activities such as a demonstration, exhibitions, workshops and concerts.
In the Navarre region, a conference discussed the social participation as a way to develop social inclusion policies. This conference was followed by a public demonstration culminating with the reading of the manifesto: “Promises can not be eaten”.
For more information: http://www.eapn.es/
