2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
The series of events dedicated to this project started with a seminar held at the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels. Organizers Caritas Europe presented their year-long campaign called Zero poverty - Act now! along with a case-book and petition to be signed supporting this cause. The full case-book can be downloaded from the link below this article.
Sógor Csaba praised the document saying that „beyond being an edifying lecture I consider the case-book to be a useful tool in legislative activities that sound political decisions can be based upon. The references, data and personal statements are also well suited to raise awareness on the subject.”
Caritas Europe has also launched an on-line petition on their website in support of this cause. Based on the Lisbon Treaty in force since last December, more than one million signatures gathered here could obligate the European Commission (EC) to initiate legislation to eliminate poverty and social exclusion. Those interested in supporting the Zero poverty - Act now! Campaign can sign the petition here: http://www.zeropoverty.org.
Along with the European-level projects the member states of the EU will also initiate nation programmes that include conferences on poverty and social exclusion, informational campaigns about the social rights of the citizens and research dedicated to the subject. The total budget for all the events of the European Year is over 17 million Euros and 9 million can be used for national projects with a requirement of 50% complementary financing.
In Romania, the events of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion will start on the 19th of February with a conference organized by the Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection where representatives of the political class, specialists and NGOs will be informed about the goals and events of the European Year.
Romania has announced combating child poverty to be its priority in this European Year and is preparing to organize a series of competitions called Child Olympics – For the future targeting talented children from modest backgrounds. The competition will focus mainly on skill, not on educational curriculum, it is expected to take place in April and May with the Award ceremony scheduled on the International Day of Children on June 1st.
In order to widely inform the public about the issues regarding poverty a journalism prize called „The journalist – social agent” will be awarded sometimes in December to the professional(s) with the best investigative report on the subject. The aim is not only to present the issue itself, but to engage in wide-spread information of the public about the solutions to the problem.
The second half of the year will see the http://www.mmuncii.ro/en/ Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection’s campaign about social rights. The Ministry intends to inform the public about rights of those in dire situation through leaflets and radio announcements. The conclusions of the series of events will be drawn at a conference in Bucharest in December where the probable effects of the European Year will also be discussed.
The entire budget for the events in Romania for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion is 719000 Euros.
