From Nobel Prize to ACTION: EAPN calls on EU leaders to deliver on their commitments

Brussels, 15 October 2012 – The award of the Nobel Prize to the European Union for its contribution to peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights is, as President Barroso said, “a message of hope and confidence in the EU at a time when the EU faces a great challenge”. A great challenge indeed, as the EU’s response to the crisis attests to a three-fold failure: EU leaders have failed to deliver on its promises on poverty reduction, have in fact generated more poverty by ‘austerity-only’ driven policies, and neglected democratic fundamental principles. In its letter sent today to EU Prime Ministers and Heads of State ahead of the Council Meeting on 18 and 19 October, where they will discuss next steps on the future of the Economic and Monetary Union, EAPN urges EU Leaders to demonstrate their commitment to a Social Union and to the safeguarding of democracy.

On 16 October, EAPN sent another letter to the Presidents of the EU, urging them to create a special fund to support organisations fighting poverty, exclusion and inequality.

 

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EAPN on TV show “C’est ça l’Europe?!”

C’est ça l’Europe?! (Is that Europe ?!), a TV show co-produced by RTBF (Belgian French-speaking main TV and radio channel) and TV5World, features EAPN as a non-governmental organization aiming, along with its members, to take part in shaping European and national politics; a totally different type of “lobbying”, far away from industrial lobbies. Sergio Aires, President of EAPN and Geneviève, a person experiencing poverty active in the Belgian Anti-Poverty Network (BAPN) addresses directly Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament.

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We must safeguard democracy: EAPN conference gives clear message that the fight against poverty is part of a bigger fight to safeguard democracy

Brussels, 02 October 2012 – Over 200 stakeholders debated with EU decision-makers at EAPN’s policy conference last Friday 28 Sept: Is Europe 2020 delivering on poverty? on the EU’s role and achievement in reducing poverty, on the consequences of austerity policies and on the malfunctioning of stakeholder participation in decision-making. 

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EAPN commemorates International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – National news!

  • EAPN Portugal: a full agenda of activities from 10 to 27 Oct! and the IVth Meeting of People experiencing poverty on employability this year
  • EAPN Spain and the Alliance against Poverty: Cuts generate poverty – Stand against it!
  • EAPN Luxembourg: a large event on 17 October, Fighting the violence and poverty and committing for peace
  • BAPN (EAPN Belgium): 30/09 demonstration “Prosperity is a right for all – Stop poverty and inequalities!”
  • Dynamo International, along with BAPN (EAPN Belgium) and RWLP (EAPN Wallonia): Conference and debate on 16/10 in the European Parliament on Roma populations in Europe 
  • EAPN Germany: report on poverty and press conference at Bahnof Zoo
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