Fifth meeting of the EU stakeholders expert group on the European year against poverty 2010 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
On 25 March the EU stakeholders expert group set up for the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion met for the fifth time in order take stock of the main outcomes of the European year and discuss the way forward. All the participants shared the view that the EYP 2010 does not represent a one-off commitment but should be kept alive and high on the agenda of policy-makers. The next European years, namely the European year on volunteering 2011, Active ageing in 2012 and of Citizens in 2013, provide an unique opportunity to maximise the potential of the initiatives already developed and to explore other aspects which are closely interlinked with poverty.
Paving the way for the right course of action will be possible by multiplying the opportunities for cooperation and dialogue at all levels. The Platform against poverty and social exclusion, one of the seven flagship initiatives within the EU2020 strategy, explicitly refers to the need of broadening and enhancing stakeholders’ involvement. High expectations are therefore placed on this strategy which might eventually step up stakeholders’ involvement, awareness, mutual learning and cooperation. The European Commission proposal on the Platform published on 16 December 2010 should now lead to a process to make it operational. Ms Carparelli, Acting director DG EMPL insisted on the point that the Platform will not replace the social Open method of coordination, which will remain the main tool to mobilse Member States, but will be additional to this.
The Platform will not only cover the traditional areas of the Social OMC but it will also take into consideration new ones by mainstreaming poverty across the wide policy spectrum. An element of concern among stakeholders is how the Platform will relate to the implementation of national Reform programmes. Will the reports on national reform programmes be enough to give an input on the reduction of poverty and social inclusion ?
For the first time there is the obligation for Member States to report back on the achievement of the target of poverty reduction. On the other hand, the reports on the national reform programmes have been reduced in length with the risk of squeezing the part on the reduction of poverty and social exclusion to only a paragraph or a line.
The idea is to hold at least three meetings per year with stakeholders including :
Apart from this separate meetings will be held in order to organise the annual Convention an high political event where key recommendations will be put forward.
The Commission closed the meeting by ensuring to take on board all the relevant proposals to step up efforts for dialogue and cooperation within the Platform. |