2010 EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

Regional Seminars

The Community Workers' Cooperative, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland, with the support of the Community Platform have been contracted by the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs to organise four half-day regional seminars as part of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. For more information please click here.......

The European Council and the European Commission have designated 2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion. The proposal to designate 2010 as the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion is intended to reaffirm and strengthen the initial political commitment of the EU at the start of the Lisbon Strategy, March 2000, to making "a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty".

In the European Union, 78 million people are currently living at risk of poverty.

Objectives

Four main objectives lie at the heart of the European Year

  • Recognition of the right of people in poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society
  • An increase in the public ownership of social inclusion policies, emphasising everyone's responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation
  • A more cohesive society, where no one doubts that society as a whole benefits from the eradication of poverty
  • Commitment of all actors, because real progress requires a long-term effort that involves all levels of governance.

The European Year should raise public awareness of poverty and social exclusion in Europe and convey the message that poverty and exclusion are obstacles to social and economic development. It should help challenge the vision that the fight against poverty is a cost for society and reaffirm the importance of collective responsibility, involving not only decision makers but also public and private actors. The European Year should also contribute by giving voice to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion, for example by strengthening the organisations in which they participate and involving them in activities designed to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty.

For more information please go to www.welfare.ie/EN/eu2010/Pages/nationalprogrammeforeu2010.aspx