Europe
needs a new Heart:
The Voluntary Sector and
the fight against poverty and social exclusion: priorities, strategies, objectives,
actions…
Background:
2010 was designated as the European Year to Combat
Poverty and Social Exclusion. Thousands of activities were held in the context
of the Year and EAPN and its members were active contributors to the success of
the Year. EAPN also coordinated the 2010 NGO Coalition, bringing together over
40 European level non government organisations to cooperate in engaging in the
Year. The website www.endpoverty.eu provides a lasting
record of the contributions NGOs made to the Year.
The political legacy of the 2010 Year at European
level includes:
- The agreement by
heads of State and Governments as part of the Europe 2020 strategy of a
European level target to reduce poverty.
- The inclusion of
a social guideline in the 2020 strategy.
- The proposal of
the ‘Platform against Poverty’ as one of the seven flagship programmes of the
2020 strategy.
- Proposals to
reinvigorate the Social OMC.
This
legacy represents a set of important commitments to ensure that the fight
against poverty and social exclusion remains visible on the European Agenda in
the years to come.
However
against this positive backdrop of political commitments lies the reality that
2010 will be even more remembered for the measures proposed in response to the
crisis which seen the introduction of ‘austerity measures’ in many EU member
states. As a result people who were
already facing poverty and social exclusion find themselves facing even greater
difficulties and many people who never imagined they would face poverty now
live with this reality. The distinct
impression in the minds of millions of Europeans is that the poor have been
asked to pay the price for the crisis they did not create. There is also the
reality that our political institutions, at national and international levels,
have not been able to ensure the necessary solidarity and the adequate
distribution of the wealth that is available, to ensure that all people can
have access to their fundamental rights.
It is
against this background that EAPN holds it’s XXll General Assembly in Portugal under the title ‘Europe
needs a new Heart’. The speakers, the debates and creative presentations, will
raise questions and provide hints about the new heart that is needed if the
European Union is to regain the confidence of it’s citizens. We will also
examine to what extent the political legacy from the 2010 Year can contribute
to a renewed heart for the EU. The General Assembly will also be the occasion
for EAPN to agree its new strategic plan (2012-2014) to ensure that EAPN is
well placed to make a positive contribution towards building a Social Europe
free of poverty and social exclusion.
The General Assembly tales place during the 2011 Year
of Volunteering. For
EAPN, the year should involve raising
awareness on the positive role of volunteering, showing the different approaches
across Member States, while exploring the benefits and risks associated to
volunteering. The General Assembly will provide opportunities to encourage EAPN
members to be actively engaged in this important year.
Objectives of the General Assembly:
1)
To provide inspiration and motivation for the ongoing work of EAPN and
its members.
2)
To enable EAPN members to have a common vision, strategy and working
methods, focusing in the Strategic Plan (2012-2014), that’s allows EAPN to effectively engage with
the EU policy agenda by progressing a model of development capable to deliver
progress in the fight against poverty, social exclusion and inequalities.
3)
To generate debate and support for EAPN’s messages with key
institutional actors.
4)
To create awareness in the public about poverty and social exclusion.
