Preparation for 7th Round Table on poverty and social exclusion - 7 May 2008

Background

In 2006, the EU strategy to combat poverty and social exclusion, the so-called EU social inclusion strategy, was merged with two separate strategies on pensions and health to form a single EU strategy on social protection and social inclusion.

In February 2006, the European Commission undertook a Communication concerning a consultation on action at EU level to promote the active inclusion of the people furthest from the labour market.

Based on the results of this first-stage consultation and the initiatives that followed, including the in-depth review by the Social Protection Committee of the National Action Plans to combat poverty and social exclusion, the sixth conference of people experiencing poverty (4-5 May 2007) and the stakeholders’ conference on active inclusion (15 June 2007), the Commission called for a renewed commitment by proposing a innovative approach to tackling poverty and promoting inclusion of people furthest from the labour market. The new strategy for ’active inclusion’, which is taking shape through a second stage wide-ranging public consultation, is a key element of the European Social Agenda.

Key points of discussion

Representatives from the upcoming French Presidency, the European Commission and NGOs took part in the meeting to discuss on the organisation of the Seventh European Round Table on poverty and social exclusion.

The representatives of the French government thanked the comments received by all the stakeholders and invited them to suggest a number of speakers to participate in the workshops. All the proposals received will be forward to the French Presidency and will be considered in the next version of the programme for the RT.

EPHA´s proposal to attend the 7th Round Table on poverty and social exclusion is available here.

As the event aims to be as inclusive as possible, local representatives, social partners and enterprises will be invited to take part in the discussion, as well as representatives from different Member States, social partners, civil society, policy representatives and universities.

For further information

 DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
 EPHA´s proposal to attend the 7th Round Table on poverty and social exclusion

EPHA related articles

 Report of the first preparatory meeting on the Seventh European Round Table on poverty and social exclusion
 6th European Round Table on Poverty and Social Inclusion
 Commission’s Joint Report on Social Protection and Inclusion