Brussels, 19/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 19 July in Brussels, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek and the president of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, hosted a meeting for around 20 senior representatives from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions, as well as from the Sikh and Hindu communities. Discussions focused on how to fight poverty and social exclusion in the context of the EU 2020 strategy promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. This was the sixth in a series of annual meetings launched by President Barroso in 2005. This event took place in a particular context because it is the first meeting between representatives from the European institutions and religious communities since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty which advocates "open, transparent and regular dialogue" with religion, churches and communities of conviction.
In the European Year against poverty and social exclusion 2010 and through the European Poverty Platform, the European institutions are engaging in a dialogue with civil society, NGOs, public authorities and other providers of social services to find new approaches, actions and partners in a Europe-wide effort to eradicate poverty. The problem is now located in a context of economic and social crisis and is therefore more urgent than ever. 84 million people live on the edges of social exclusion in Europe. During a press conference organised at the end of the meeting, Barroso stressed that the situation was both “dramatic…and unacceptable”, because Europe is one of the richest regions in the world. The president of the Commission affirmed that the fight against poverty is an ethical issue and part of the European Union's essential values. He concluded that if the European Union wanted to fight poverty efficiently, it is indispensable that it draws on the experience of the churches and religious communities, whose tradition of aid and assistance to the most needy is without question. Buzek added: "The promise of a better life for all without exception must always be at the heart of the European project”. He considers that combating poverty and social exclusion is a task for the partnership of all; local, national and European levels, as well as laymen and churches. The president of the EP also asserted that “our first and foremost priority is to restore social and economic security”. He said that the crisis was not just economic but also a moral crisis of values and that the churches had a crucial role to play in this regard. Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, said that it is not just about fighting material poverty but also about restoring the love and dignity of human beings in a society that is losing its values. “We all know that this issue is mainly linked with homelessness, with better access to the labour market, with the possibility to apply for health services … but combating poverty and social exclusion is also, in essence, about being willing to restore human dignity, the dignity of both men and women”, he noted. The Commission was delighted that the discussions took place in a frank and open spirit. The faith leaders from 14 members states (France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Denmark) expressed their support for the Europe2020 strategy and its social and education targets. They encouraged the European institutions to further increase the momentum, especially with a view to improving access to the labour market, better targeting of social services in member states and ensuring equal opportunities with a view to access to education and training. They underlined their continued commitment to foster social cohesion and increase a sense of solidarity and civic engagement among Europeans. They emphasised that overcoming the current crisis will only be possible when people and social justice are at the heart of European policies. Péter Erdö, the president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) declared: “Poverty is not just a question of material goods but also an anthropological question, fundamental to the wellbeing of the human race. This colloquy is very important for this reflection”.
Promoting employment, inclusive growth and social cohesion is at the heart of the EUROPE 2020 strategy. One of the EU-wide agreed objectives is to reduce by at least 20 million the number of Europeans exposed to poverty and social exclusion by 2020. Progress will be measured by three major indicators, namely at-risk-of-poverty; material deprivation, and jobless households. Two other headline targets of the EUROPE 2020 strategy reflect the need to improve equity and quality in education: reducing school-drop-out rates to less than 10% and increasing the share of 30-34 year olds having completed tertiary or equivalent education to at least 40% by 2020. (I.L./transl/fl)