Poverty and social exclusion - a European reality

Poverty in Europe - an unbearable reality

In 2007, the at-risk-of-poverty rate after social transfers in EU 27 was 16%, meaning almost 80 million people living in Europe (Eurostat).  [1]

Poverty is a foremost determinant of ill-health. People living in poverty are more likely to lack access to accurate information and healthcare facilities. Therefore, the poor are more exposed to illness, which can have a significant effect on their ability to work and thus break out of this cycle of poverty.

Social inclusion - a key principle in the European Union

Article 34 of the Charter of Fundamental rights on "Social security and social assistance" states that "in order to combat social exclusion and poverty, the Union recognises and respects the right to social and housing assistance so as to ensure a decent existence for all those who lack sufficient resources, in accordance with the rules laid down by Community law and national laws and practices."

It is an intrinsic goal of European models of society and welfare that people should not be prevented from benefiting from and contributing to economic and social progress. Building a more inclusive Europe is vital to achieve the European Union’s goals of sustained economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

EU Action for Social Inclusion

At the Lisbon European Council of March 2000, Member States and the European Commission agreed to take steps to “make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty by 2010” and fixed the Union’s ten year strategic goal of sustained economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. Fighting poverty and social exclusion is a key element in ensuring that the EU meets this commitment.

Member States since 2000 co-ordinate their policies for combating poverty and social exclusion on the basis of a process of policy exchanges and mutual learning known as the ’Open Method of Coordination’ [2], which had already been used in the employment field.

From 2001 to 2005 this method only focused on social inclusion and was developed around a set of four objectives on the fight against poverty (access to resources, rights, goods, services and employment, prevention of poverty, addressing situations of poverty and mobilising all actors including NGOs).

Since 2006, three policy areas have been jointly addressed through this process, now known as the streamlined “Open Method of Coordination on social protection and social inclusion” :
 The fight against poverty and social exclusion
 Adequate and sustainable pensions
 Accessible, high quality and sustainable health and long-term care.

In addition, the Commission organised seven round tables on poverty and exclusion. The 7th Round Table was held under the French Presidency of the European Union. It focused its work on the issue of active inclusion in the light of the Commission recommendation published in September 2008 and experiments implemented by the French government in this area.

2010 will be the "European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion", to recognise that:

 all people have a right to live in dignity and take part in society
 the public and private sector share responsibility to combat poverty and social exclusion
 eradicating poverty for a more cohesive society benefits all
 commitment at all levels of society is needed to achieve this goal.

The 8th Round Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion will take place under the Swedish Presidency.

For further information

 http://ec.europa.eu/employment_soci...

EPHA related articles

 article 3518

 7th Roundtable on Poverty and Social Exclusion, Marseille 15-16 October

 ****Updated*****Guide to the 2010 European Year for Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion