Brussels, 15/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Some 18 representatives of philosophical non-confessional organisations met in Brussels on 15 October with the presidents of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, and the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, to discuss how to tackle poverty and exclusion.
The meeting took place for the first time against the backdrop of the new Lisbon Treaty, which foresees in Article 17 that the EU “maintains an open, transparent and regular dialogue” with religions, churches and communities of conviction, explained José Manuel Barroso.
Barroso added that the fight against poverty was a priority to be incorporated at EU level because although the member states tackle poverty, the EU must do so as well. He highlighted the need for ethics and justice in the fight, adding that social, economic and ethical means are needed to combat the scourge of poverty in society.
Jerzy Buzek said: “Tackling poverty is at the heart of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion and the European Parliament has always taken a firm stand against poverty and social exclusion.” He added that the important thing was to help people who are struggling because poverty reduces people's dignity and reduces their freedom. He said that solidarity was at the heart of a fair society and that the current economic crisis is a human crisis first and foremost.
Herman Van Rompuy said that the meeting had discussed the various ways of tackling poverty and the consequences for society at large. He said the leaders had discussed how to prevent and how to deal with poverty, the budget and non-financial consequences (the psychological impact), charity and structural issues. He said they needed to work with poor people to increase their sense of dignity. In order to tackle the economic and social crisis, and also to tackle poverty, he said people needed to be inspired by altruism, solidarity and humanism and in the current period of rising populism, true values are needed. Van Rompuy said Europe means unity in diversity, but social exclusion opposes unity and is therefore anti-European. (G.B./transl.fl)