Press Release: EU puts the fight against poverty at the heart of goals for jobs and growth

Author (Corporate)
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Series Details IP/10/1729 (16.12.10)
Publication Date 16/12/2010
Content Type

Over 80 million people in the EU are still living at risk of poverty and a quarter of these citizens are children. The economic crisis has exacerbated this situation, exposing vulnerable groups even more. With the 2010 European Year against Poverty and Social Exclusion drawing to a close, the EU must continue to step up its efforts for the decade to come on this key issue. Bringing vulnerable groups into the heart of our societies and labour markets is central to sustainable and inclusive growth. Poverty reduction is an engine for this future growth. At the initiative of the European Commission, EU leaders have already set, for the first time ever, a concrete numerical target to reduce poverty and social exclusion by at least 20 million by 2020.

In a Communication adopted on 16 December 2010, 'The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion', the European Commission sets out ways to help Member States move up a gear in fighting social exclusion. Countries now have to set their own ambitious national targets, reporting annually on their progress. The Commission will support these efforts, mobilising – among others – policies like social protection, employment and education, as well as EU funding. It will also promote new partnerships and new ways of combating poverty through social innovation to test new policy ideas.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1729&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Related Links
EurActiv, 17.12.10: EU unveils raft of proposals to combat poverty http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/eu-unveils-raft-proposals-combat-news-500725
European Commission: DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities: News, 16.12.10: Stepping up the fight against poverty and social exclusion http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=959&furtherNews=yes
EUObserver, 16.12.10: EU anti-poverty plan lacks substance, says civil society http://euobserver.com/9/31531
European Commission: Memo/10/687: Poverty and Social Exclusion in the EU: state of play and next steps http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/687&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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