EAPN’s Analysis – Framework on Poverty POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION EAPN’s Analysis – Framework on Poverty Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator

EAPN’s General Framework on Poverty POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 EAPN’s General Framework on Poverty Why we’re discussing it? What is poverty? How is it caused? How is poverty measured? What do we want and what do we do about it?

Why are we discussing it? POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 Why are we discussing it? Challenging times/ new members/ New Strategic Plan affirms our goals and values But how far is vision shared? What problems? Do we need to adapt or develop new messages? How can we build a common vision for action? .

POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 What is Poverty? Lack of consensus driven by political priorities: reduce number considered poor? Absolute or Relative poverty? access to basic services or excluded from equal participation. Poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon where both absolute/relative have role to play Link between growing inequality and poverty Capture better the reality of poverty? .

POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 How is Poverty caused? Structural v Individual: blaming the ‘poor’ ? « Persistence of poverty in wealthy EU suggests poverty is primarily a consequence of the way society is organized + resources allocated » Unequal distribution/redistribution of income, wealth, access to rights, resources and services Additional « at risk » factors – key target groups Exclusion from participation .

How is Poverty measured? POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 How is Poverty measured? Reflects debate on definitions/political priorities Relative: at risk of poverty- 60% median household disposable income Absolute: 2 dollars a day; (severe) Material Deprivation – lack of access to basic services etc Social OMC – Broader set of indicators to reflect multidimensionality of poverty Europe 2020 poverty target narrows debate? .

POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 What do we want? Everybody has a right to a dignified life More equal societies do better Adequate income – living wages + adequate minimum income/social protection Universal access to public services - affordable health, education, housing, social services etc.. Right to access quality work, through Active Inclusion Fairer Society – redistribution + tax justice, fighting inequality and anti-discrimination Participation and Empowerment at heart .

POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 What role for the EU? Safeguarding or undercutting our social model? EU Legal basis for framework of social rights and standards but subsidarity?? EU Social Open Method of Coordination working towards Common Social Objectives+promoting mutual learning Europe 2020: driving delivery on poverty/ social targets? Or driving a neo-liberal economic model, dismantling welfare states through economic governance? .

POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 What can we do? Work with people experiencing poverty to develop solutions and organize for change. Engage in civil dialogue to develop effective EU/national anti-poverty strategies… Raise awareness and visibility of reality of poverty and impact of current policy Exchange/Mutual learning Campaign+Alliances for alternative models .

Contact Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator POVERTY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION BUILDING A COMMON VISION FOR ACTION – 27/09/2012 For More Information Contact Sian Jones, EAPN Policy Coordinator Sian.jones@eapn.eu www.eapn.eu Is the