Brussels, 17/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - In view of next 1 June, date on which each Member State must have handed-in to the European Commission its national action plan on social inclusion (NAPsincl), the European anti-poverty network (EAPN) organised on 30 March and 1 April last in Dublin a seminar on the preparation of these Plans. The main conclusions was to note the need for a European strategy forcing the Member States to coordinate their policies. Though the context differs from one country to another, the participants identified seven strategic transversal issues that condition the implementation and effectiveness of these plans. Thus according to them:
Significant financial undertakings and sufficient human resources are required to avoid that these plans do not become pious hopes.
The participation of people confronted with poverty and social exclusion must be promoted at all levels; it is crucial and should be integrated into all the other aims. The danger lies in a prior consultation that will not lead to a true participation in the political process of drafting, follow-up and assessment. The NGO may act as catalysts by using their expertise.
The regional and local authorities must be fully associated with this process, as it is especially at these levels that poverty can be concretely fought.
The strategic approach must be based on access to fundamental rights for all and not on assistance.
The strategy must be supported by a coordinated, transversal and multidimensional approach, at all levels: ministerial, administrative and territorial.
The indicators for social exclusions must not be too technical, nor too limited, but it is necessary that they be sufficiently precise and flexible to reflect the changes made in terms of social policy. Moreover the assessment of the NAPsincl must be permanent. EAPN also intends to play its part in this follow-up and assessment process.
The governments and all the actors involved must take on board information on the NAPsincl, their implementation and the concrete results; transparency is a core objective.