This major conference offered an opportunity to discuss the reality for the most vulnerable in the context of austerity policies and the malfunctioning of stakeholder participation in decision-making, and provided a chance to discuss how to improve this situation. It built on EAPN members’ enormous efforts to engage in the Europe 2020 Strategy and their expertise as contributors to the National Reform Programmes (NRPs)/National Social Reports (NSRs). EAPN’s Analysis and Recommendations were presented.
Conference livestreamed and still viewable here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/eapn
Speakers
- Georgios Papageorgiou, Permanent Secrtary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, Cyprus
- Hugh Frazer, Coordinator of the EU network of independent experts on social inclusion
- Lieve Fransen, Director ‘Europe 2020: social policies’, DG Employment, EC
- Philippe Lamberts, MEP, (Greens/European Free Alliance), Economic and Finance Committee, Co-President of the European Green Party
- Maureen O’Neill, European Economic and Social Committee, Employment, Social affairs and Citizenship Section
- Christine Chapman, National Assembly of Wales, Committee of Regions
- Marcel Haag, Head of Unit Europe 2020, DG Secretariat General, EC
- Mik Woolley, Chair of the Employment Committee
- People with direct experience of poverty.
Presentations
- João Seabra speech, from EAPN Portugal
- National example from EAPN Austria, by Vera Hinterdorfer – see also an interview with her
- National example from EAPN Spain, by Graciela Malgesini
- EAPN Assessment of NRPs and NSRs – An EU Worth Defending?, by Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator
- Europe 2020 – EAPN Recommendations and Message to AGS, by Fintan Farrell, EAPN Director
- Assessing the Europe 2020 Strategy results – the context, by Hugh Frazer, Coordinator of the EU Network of Independent Experts on social inclusion
- Speech by Georgios Papageorgiou, Permanent Secretary of the Cyprus Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance
Key documents
- An EU Worth Defending – Beyond Austerity to Social Investment & Inclusive Growth – EAPN Analysis of the 2012 NRPs & NSRs, July 2012
- EAPN proposals for country-specific recommendations on the NRPs 2012, May 2012
- EAPN letter to Commissioner Andor, 16 May 2012
- Re-engaging Hope and Expectations – Getting out the Crisis Together – Alternative approaches for an inclusive recovery, EAPN, Position paper, February 2012
Video interviews with
- Lieve Fransen, Director of Europe 2020 social policies, Philippe Lamberts, from the European Parliament
- Maureen O’Neill, EESC, Vice President of Group III, Member of the Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship Section
- Christine Chapman, National Assembly of Wales and Committee of the Regions, Member of the Commission for Economic and Social Policy
- Tadas Leoncikas, Eurofound
- Hugh Frazer, Coordinator of the European Network of Independent Experts on Social Inclusion
- Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General of Eurochild
- Vera Hinterdorfer, person experiencing poverty and founding member of the of the Staying Visible Platform, established with other people in and fighting poverty, Austria
- Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator,
Download the PROGRAMME of the conference here.
Also featured at this conference! THE SNAKES & LADDERS GAME CLIMBING OUT OF POVERTY 
The life-sizeSnakes and Ladders game, popular in Britain, seeks to show how difficult it can be to achieve a secure full-time job that will lift a person and their family out of poverty. It aims to help raise awareness of the need for support and a step up the ladder to achieve jobs, good pay and dignity for everyone. It was produced by the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centres (DUWCs), member of EAPN England. Everyone, notably keynote speakers, was invited to play the game at the conference. Read more on the game.
Snakes and Ladders Climbing out of Poverty Game has now been converted to a computer game: http://www.climbingoutofpoverty.co.uk/
Contact
- Claire Champeix claire.champeix@eapn.eu for information;
- Rebecca Lee Rebecca.lee@eapn.eu for practical matters – Tel: + 32 2 226 58 50 – Website: www.eapn.eu
Social media
- Twitter hashtag:
#EAPN2012conference - Video on Youtube: http://youtu.be/av02ePpxqoE
Read the press release about the conference here: We must safeguard democracy: EAPN conference gives clear message that the fight against poverty is part of a bigger fight to safeguard democracy
This conference is supported by: The European Community Progress Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (2007-2013). The views contained in this articile do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the Europen Commission.
Photo: Human Ring against poverty, November 2010, (c) Alejandra Laiton