{jathumbnail}85 million women and men[1] – around 17% of the EU population – lived below the poverty threshold in 2008. About 20 million of them are children, which means one child out of five. 8% of the European population is at risk of poverty, despite having a job. 22% of women over 65 live in poverty, as do a third of single-parent families. In addition, there has been a vast accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few with the richest 2% of the world population owning 50% of world’s wealth while the poorest half of the world population have only 1% of the world’s wealth[2].
“The austerity measures are a purely economic answer to a social crisis. They’re pushing millions of people, previously affected by the crisis itself, deeper into poverty,” said Conny Reuter, President of Social Platform. “To address this situation the EU and member states need to establish an adequate minimum income level, focus on creating quality jobs, and implement the Charter of Fundamental Rights.”
“We will not get out of the crisis if we do not tackle the redistribution of wealth, reverse the growing levels of inequalities and prioritise policies to fight poverty and social exclusion. There are alternatives which deconstruct the idea that cutting public expenditure is the only solution. What we lack is the political will to pursue such alternatives” said Fintan Farrell, on behalf of the 2010 Coalition of Social NGOs.
Today, the 2010 Coalition of Social NGOs and the women, men and children, taking part in or supporting this event, have called on decision-makers to solidarity at the heart of their response to the crisis. The final declaration from the 2010 European Year must contain concrete commitments to fight poverty, exclusion and inequalities building on the 8 action points outlined by the Coalition of NGOs.
“We want this European Year to have a strong legacy to match the urgency of the situation. We want to see the renewal of a common vision for the type of society we want to create and a commitment to building a Europe where women and men of all ages can live free of poverty and social exclusion.”, concluded Myria Vassiliadou, Secretary General from of the European Women’s Lobby.
By initiating the Human Ring around the European Parliament, the 2010 Coalition of Social NGOs calls for action on 8 key points:
- accessible services for all
- an end to homelessness
- participation in policy making
- fundamental rights at the heart of the European policies
- equality between men and women and an end to all discrimination
- redistribution of wealth to create more equal societies
- adequate income and high levels of social protection
- decent work to create a sustainable way out of poverty
/END
[1] Eurostat – figures from 2008
[2] World Institute for Development Economics Research of the UN University, The World Distribution of Household Wealth
About the event
- Friday 19 November
- 12.15 – 14.00
- European Parliament, Brussels (see flyer for locations)
More information
Photos of the event are available here!!
- Organization of the Ring and Flyer in EN, FR, NL, DE here
- Read the input by Fintan Farrel
- Read the input by Julie in representation of ENAR (en Français)
- Video of the event by the European Parliament is available here.
- Video by Eux TV here in youtube.
- Video by CNCD-11.11.11 here: http://www.vimeo.com/17114417
- Video by Solidar can be found here.
- Video by EuroparlTV here
- Video by the European Commission can be found here
- Video by the European Parliament is here
- More about the NGO Coalition for the European Year 2010: EY 2010 NGO Coalition Common Messages for the Outcome of 2010
For any information, you can also contact:
- Nellie Epinat, EAPN’s Communication & Press Officer – +32 (0)498 44 13 66 – Nellie.epinat@eapn.eu or team@eapn.eu tel. +32 2 226 58 50 – fax. +32 2 226 58 69
- Abigail Goundry – SOLIDAR Communications Officer – +32 (0)472 607 449
- Leanda Barrington-Leach – European Women’s Lobby Communications Officer – +32 (0)488 41 94 21
(Pictures by Marc Gruber)
Thanks for the pictures to…
- Alejandra Laiton (Inclusion Europe)
- Ana Pérez Méndez (COFACE)
- Christian Oyes (Tram66)
- Eva Hilhorst
- EWL
- Frédéric Levêque (CNCD)
- Ilga Europe
- Kris Roels (Tram66)
- Marc Gruber
- Miriam Castanyer
- Pol Arnauts (Tram66)
- Raymond Clement (Brandpunt23)
- Tanya Basarab
- Vincent Boulanger (Tipik)
- Wout Muldermans (Tram66)
The bands which have livened up the Human Ring!
- Cramique
- Fil à Trio
- Café Marché
- Alimentation générale
- The Mix Grill
- Bend it!
The Human Ring in Europe!
- Human Ring in Oslo, Norway
- Human Ring in Madrid, Spain
NEW! THE HUMAN RING ON THE PRESS!
- RTBF
- European year 2010 gets mixed first reviews
- 5000 Europeans surround the European Parliament to combat poverty and Social Exclusion
- Chaîne humaine autour du Parlement européen contre la pauvreté
- Human Ring against the European Parliament: stop poverty!
- Poverty reduction is ’key priority’ for future EU funding
- Menselijke ketting rond Europees parlement
- Chaîne humaine autour du Parlement européen contre la pauvreté (Skynet)
- Chaîne humaine autour du Parlement européen contre la pauvreté (Sudpresse)
- Human chain against poverty and social exclusion
- Plusieurs personnes entourent le Parlement européen
Partners of the 2010 Coalition for the Human Ring: CNCD-11.11.11, Serve the City