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EAPN
The European Anti-Poverty Network
EAPN
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Voices of Poverty

  • Who we are
    • What is EAPN?
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        • Executive Committee
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Press release – Commission’s Economic recovery package: Too much ‘business as usual’ and not enough focus on solidarity and social justice

In the preface to the Economic Recovery Package launched yesterday by the European Commission, President Barroso highlights the fundamental principle of “solidarity and justice” to “lessen the human cost” of the downturn. For the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN), the measures proposed are not enough. Social justice and investment in people are urgently needed.

“The Economic recovery plan assumes that all that is needed are extra measures and more business as usual and that the current crisis is only a temporary blip in a sound economic model” commented Fintan Farrell, Director of EAPN.  “EAPN does not accept this analysis. “The current “Growth and Jobs” focus has clearly failed to reduce poverty and social exclusion, even in times of boom, so how are we supposed to trust that more of the same will help us in times of crisis?” he added.

For EAPN, the proposed plan does contain some useful measures which could address the needs of people in poverty or furthest from the labour market. However without a comprehensive pillar focused on social justice and investment in people, the measures aimed at addressing people in poverty such as increasing benefit schemes are likely to get lost.

This pillar focused on social justice and investment in people would:

  • Start from the impact on people and address the affect of the crisis in key areas like housing, debt, adequate income, affordable services, as well as access to jobs which can lift people out of poverty.
  • Redirect public investment into social and environmental innovation which creates jobs and new services to deliver social and environmental needs, particularly supporting the social economy.
  • Recognize the role of re-distributory and solidarity mechanisms as fundamental to creating a sustainable future
  • Ensure the participation of all stakeholders, including people in poverty in all discussions at EU and national level on the implementation of the recovery package and future strategies.

“EAPN wants to see a coherent strategy centered on the rights of people – not just businesses and banks. We want an open debate on the causes and consequences of crisis so that we can turn this crisis into an opportunity to avoid the mistakes of the past and build a new social and sustainable EU” added Fintan Farrell.

/ENDS

See:

  • The EAPN Input on the Commission’s Economic Recovery Package
  • The European Commission’s Economic Recovery Package

For further information, please contact Audrey Gueudet (Communication & Press Officer) or Fintan Farrell (Director), tel. +32 2 226 58 50 – fax. +32 2 226 58 69 – E-mail: team@eapn.eu – Website: www.eapn.eu

November 27, 2008
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EAPN

Boulevard Bischoffsheim 11
B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
Tel: +32.2.226.58.50
Fax: +32.2.226.58.69
EAPN Europe Staff

EU Funding

This website has been produced with the financial support of the European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.

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Designed by impactshaker
  • Who we are
    • What is EAPN?
    • Our members
    • Our structure
      • EAPN Europe Staff
      • Governing bodies
        • General Assembly (GA)
        • Executive Committee
        • Bureau
      • EU Inclusion Strategies Group
    • The way we are funded
    • Get involved
    • Contact us
  • What we do
    • How we work
    • Policy areas we focus on
      • Poverty & Fundamental Rights
      • Wealth & Inequalities
      • Employment
      • Access to Public Services
      • EU Funds
      • Participation of people experiencing poverty
      • Europe 2020 Strategy
      • The Future of Europe
    • Projects
    • Network Development
    • Campaigns & Alliances
      • Campaigns
      • Alliances & Structured dialogue
  • News & Publications
    • Press Room
      • EAPN Press releases
      • EAPN Clippings
      • National Networks Clippings
    • News
      • EAPN News
      • EAPN National Networks News
      • EU Institutions News
    • Publications
      • EAPN key documents
      • EAPN Position Papers & Reports
      • EAPN Policy toolkits & Briefings
      • EAPN Letters
      • EAPN Books
    • Upcoming Events
    • EAPN Photos & Videos
    • EU jargon explained
  • What is poverty ?
    • Introduction
    • Poverty : what is it?
    • How is poverty measured?
    • Facts & Trends
    • Inequality : what is it?
    • Causes of poverty and inequality
    • Sources of information
    • Voices from the ground
  • Members’ Room
EAPN