Endpoverty

Act now against poverty!

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-08-19T14:37:58Z

The Romanian National Network of Anti-Poverty - Social Inclusion - RENASIS (EAPN Romania) organized from 5th to 11 July 2010 a series of conferences and debates in Bucharest and in all the country.

With the title: IS TIME ACT NOW AGAINST POVERTY!, three major events were organised during this week: an opening conference in Bacau on 5th July, a round table in Bucharest on 6 July and a final international conference on 9th July in Bucharest.

: EAPN Romania displayed the shared messages.

In Bacau the opening conference has shown that the poor situation changed dramatically in the last two weeks of flooding effects and recalculating the number of people in need is a priority. The Bucharest debates into concrete actions need involvement, consultation and direct participation of people living in poverty along with policy makers was defined as a primary emergency.

These issues and the fight to reduce poverty in Romania and the EU in 2020 were discussed with our guests from Romania (around 100 participants) as well as with our international guest speakers: Mr. Ludo Horemans - President EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network - European Anti-Poverty Network), Mr. Luigi Leonori - President of European SMEs, Mr. Alexandar Nikolov - Bulgaria EAPN, Mrs. Miriam Pikar – Caritas Europa, Mr. PhD. Sebastian Nastuta and Mrs. Mirela Nicolescu - Romania EAPN delegate to the 9th European Meeting on people in poverty.

: Participants in one of the conferences.

All the actions running during this week showed always the same message: we must unite our forces, creativity and interests to fight together against poverty so that we all can have a better life.

"Think and talk about poverty!"

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-08-19T09:42:48Z

Sharing ideas and opinions is the main reason for this conference, on the 9th of September different representatives and experts will meet in Estonia to discuss about poverty and social exclusion.

The conference, organised by EAPN Estonia, will be moderated by Mr Ainar Ruussaar (Editor-in-Chief of the Baltic News Service), and representatives of EAPN from other countries will also contribute to the discussion.

From 11am to 4pm the following people will participate on the conference:

Mr Andrus Saar, sociologist - “How have Estonians' perceptions of poverty changed over the past 20 years?”
Ms Kärt Mere, leader of EAPN Estonia - “Results of the letter-writing campaign on poverty “Think and speak your mind!”
Ms Riina Vändre, leader of the citizen's initiative project “Noor Eesti” (“Young Estonia”) “Let's give children the right to vote!”
Ms Riina Luik, psychologist and journalist (Marie Claire) “Poverty in the media”
Ms Marika Ratnik, representative of the Society for Children's Interests
“What is it like for a child to live in a family receiving subsistence benefit?”
Mr Lauri Leppik, professor of social policy at the Tallinn University “Exclusion of social exclusion”
Mr Urmo Reitav, programme leader at the Estonian National Committee for UNICEF “Inclusion of youth – playing games or the real thing

If you want to take part then send us an e-mail at mere online.ee.

For additional information go to www.eapn.ee.

See the flyer in English.

Digital photo contest "Poverty and social exclusion in Galicia"

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-08-04T09:39:01Z

On the occasion of the 2010 European Year Against Poverty and Social Exclusion, EAPN Galicia organizes its first digital photo contest, open to everybody: participants from programs of member institutions, from other social agencies, amateur and professional photographers… Read More

The theme of the proyect is the poverty and social exclusion in Galicia, one of the regional members of EAPN Spain.

Chosen pictures will be part of an exhibition in the Parliament of Galicia.

Deadline to submit the pictures is the 15th of September, and they should be sent to info eapn-galicia.com with a title and a comment up to 100 words. Each participant can submit 2 pictures in JPG format.

More information in this PDF (in Galician).

3rd edition of the photo competition "In search of solidarity"

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-07-14T09:44:11Z

The PES Group in the Committee of the Regions has just launched the third edition of its photo competition for young Europeans under the theme "In Search of Solidarity".

Entries may be submitted from 9 May to 30 September 2010 inclusive

The competition, organised in the framework of the 2010 European year for combating poverty and social exclusion, is an opportunity for young Europeans between 18 and 30 years old to have their say on the concept of solidarity and propose concrete solutions to fight poverty.

In addition to high value prizes consisting in semi-professional photographic material, the winners will be invited to the Committee of the Regions in September to attend a conference on the added value of the EU, and their photos will be displayed in an exhibition.

The aim of the competition is to bring young European citizens closer to the EU and to raise awareness on poverty and social exclusion.You can visit the website of the competition here.

More information: http://pes.cor.europa.eu/sol_enter.html

MAJOR CALL! Human Ring around the European parliament for a credible response to the crisis! 19/11 at 12:30

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-07-09T09:03:09Z

84 million people in the European Union are living in poverty! … and several other millions are at risk of poverty

We want a credible response to the crisis, focused on solidarity and social justice

Fundamental rights at the heart of 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 Accessible services for all An end to homelessness Participation in policy making

Ending poverty IS everybody's business.

IF YOU SHARE OUR VIEWS, COME AND JOIN, and pass on the message!

HUMAN RING AGAINST POVERTY

Where? Around the European Parliament in Brussels

When? November 19th 2010 at 12.30

More details soon.

Contact the coalition of NGOs for 2010 on info endpoverty.eu www.endpoverty.eu

Romania, ready for focus week !

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-07-05T15:02:33Z

EAPN Romania (RENASIS) is ready to start the Romanian Focus week with a program of different events focused on…

Awareness-raising on poverty and social exclusion issues: challenges and solutions
Visibility of local anti-poverty and social inclusion initiatives (open days for example)
Engaging local and national media on the theme of poverty and social exclusion
Events involving people experiencing poverty
Joint events between national members of European networks
Media interviews

Activities during the week

1. Opening conferences "Time to ACT NOW AGAINST POVERTY! What do you do for this?" at Bacau county at the County Council, Monday 5 July 2010. From the program: Welcoming - Bacau County Prefect, Mr. CLAUDIU BALAN, Presentation of EAPN and RENASIS, Dr. Nadia Isaila, Vice-president EAPN Romania and President on REPERE Association, "Presentation of comparative statistical data on social exclusion in the NE Region of Romania vs. EU" - Permanent Technical Secretariat of the Territorial Pact for Employment and Social Inclusion, NE Region - Drd. SEBASTIAN NĂSTUŢĂ, "Introducing the importance of the new European strategy 'EU in 2020 "in the context of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2010, to Romania, Member of the European Union - Expert RENASIS Mag. CRISTINA LOGHIN

2. On 6 July Caritas Romania, a founder member of EAPN Romania will organised a roundtable: "Poverty and social exclusion: from goals to everyday reality" at Infoeuropa Centre in Bucharest. From the program: Daniela Czimbalmos - Head of Communications and Public Relations Department for European Affairs, ZERO POVERTY! Act now "campaign conducted by Caritas Europe - Mrs. Miriam Pikaar - Project Manager for Inclusion and Zero Poverty, Caritas Europa

3. On 9 July 2010 at the title "Time to ACT NOW AGAINST POVERTY!" we will close the week with an international conference at Commerce and Industry of Romania Chamber with the participation of Ludo Horemans, President EAPN, Luigi Leonori, President SMES, Alexandar Nikolov, coordinator of Bulgarian delegation for the PEP Meeting in Brussels, and Ana Mirela Nicolescu, Romanian participation on the 9th PEP Meeting in Brussels near authorities and EAPN Romania President, Mrs. Andreea Radut.

For the programs and details see RENASIS' website.

Faces of Poverty in Europe: Exhibition in Denmark

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-07-01T13:10:49Z

On Thursday 15 April the conference Faces of Poverty was organised by SOLIDAR's Danish member FIC in the framework of the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The event brought together about 100 participants from European countries, the European Commission, trade unions, NGOs, Danish MEPs and the Danish Institute for Human rights.

Participants discussed concrete proposals concerning Europe's responsibilities in reducing poverty and different forms of social exclusion and to strengthen commitment towards policies to promote solidarity, fair distribution of income and wealth, a dignified life and decent living and working conditions for all. Read more on SOLIDAR's website.

736 ideas for 736 MEPs

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-06-15T14:11:30Z

The Studies and Social Projects Association coordinates "736 ideas for a dream", a project that is taking place in six European cities from Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece and Ireland, with the mission of creating 736 postcards -one for each member of the European Parliament- that reflects on the current problems that generate social exclusion in Europe, as well as specific ways to solve them.

The general aim of this project is to create new ways of communication and dialogue amongst members of the European Parliament and its citizens, together in the fight against social exclusion.

The project is structured around the following products and activities:

Six workshop programmes to produce the 736 postcards
A website to present the results and methodology in a digital format
A book that collects the 736 postcards and presents the main aims of this project.
An exhibit to take place during the Day of Europe (9/05/2011) in which the postcards will be presented to the public.

More information and the postcards on the official website.

EAPN Austria - Smartmobs against poverty

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-05-31T13:30:08Z

On the 14th of June EAPN Austria has started - what is hopefully to become - a large series of smartmobs against poverty. Smartmobs - or flashmobs as they are often called - are short and simple public actions to raise awareness for a specific issue.

People are invited to join EAPN for a Smartmob against poverty and come to a certain meeting point at a certain date and to bring a spoon. The spoons are used as a symbol for good distribution but also to make noise (and thereby raise attention) at the beginning of the Smartmob.

Before the start of the smartmob the word 'poverty' will be written in big letters on the ground with chalk.

After the noisy bit, the spoons will be used (= laid down in a line) to 'cross out poverty'. Small leaflets are distributed or/and people are asked to call the prime minister and the minister of finances offices to ask what they will do to effectively fight poverty and guarantee a better distribution of the countries wealth.

The action is filmed and pictures are taken, all the material is published at the website: http://www.esreichtfueralle.at (which translates as: there is enough for all)

People and groups across Austria are called to organise similar smartmobs at different places and times so that some visibility and public debate will be created all over the country and throughout the year.

More information (in German) at: http://www.esreichtfueralle.at- you will also find some videos there, which will give you a good impression of what's happening even if you don't understand German.

Or get in touch with the Austrian network to learn more.

Polish week in the media!

European Anti Poverty Network — 2010-05-25T14:02:37Z

Focus week in Poland is over and the expectations have been fulfilled. TV stations, radio, cinemas and Internet have covered the different events during the week and showed their video campaign.

The local people experiencing poverty meeting on Wednesday was followed by the national event on Saturday, with the participation of representatives from the Iceland network.

On Friday they organized a seminar to debate about 2020 strategy and about national strategy as well. In this event, the message was signed by the President Ryszard Szarfenberg and by Cezary Mizejewski, member of the Advisory Body and ex Under-Secretary of State.

: Some of the participants in the meeting on Friday.

Walentyna Milewska, EXCO member, will deliver the message to Madrid for the next focus week in Spain, beginning the 31st of May.

: Ryszard Szarfenberg (President of EAPN Poland) and Gudmundur Magnusson (Chair of the Organization of Disabled in Iceland).