equity

European Parliament puts spotlight on the importance of social housing in the EU

On June 11, the Plenary Session of the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of an initiative report on social housing in the European Union, drafted by Karima Delli MEP (France, Greens/European Free Alliance). European, local and regional representatives have meanwhile launched a petition for a European social housing action framework. In the same vein, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published a new sectoral briefing on housing. The EP report acknowledges the role (...)

[Save the date] CECODHAS Housing Europe colloquium on the question “Where is housing in the future social contract?”

On 24 and 25 June, CECODHAS Housing Europe (a network of 45 national and regional federations of public, voluntary and cooperative housing providers)) will hold a colloquium on the question “ Where is housing in the future social contract?” in Leuven (Belgium). There will be maximum of 60 participants to ensure productive discussions with participants invited from a range of EU countries and with different housing sector interests. The summer academy will build on the expertise of participants to draw up a participatory programme.

[EPT] Roma NRIS – Policy Framework – National Roma Integration Strategies (17 June 2013)

National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) Many of the estimated 10-12 million Roma in Europe face prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion in their daily lives. They are marginalised and live in very poor socio-economic conditions. This EU Framework seeks to make a tangible difference to Roma people’s lives. It is the EU’s response to the current situation and does not replace Member States’ primary responsibility in this regard. With this EU (...)

[Roundtable] Commissioner Reding and Andor on Roma rights

The European Commission intends to maintain a regular dialogue and close co-operation with all stakeholders active in the field of Roma inclusion. In line with this approach, Commissioners Viviane Reding (justice, fundamental rights and citizenship) and László Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) co-organised a roundtable meeting with EU civil society representatives, in order to have a thorough exchange of views on progress (or the lack of it) made on Roma integration and to (...)

Fundamental Rights to Promote Public Health

The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) has organised the 6th Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP), its flagship event to meet with civil society representatives working on fundamental rights. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) participated in the event for the first time, bringing the public health community’s voice in substantive discussions about Fundamental Rights. What about Fundamental Rights? Fundamental Rights are rights that are recognised and guaranteed by international (...)

European Year of Citizens: Are Roma people European citizens like any others?

The ’’citizenship gap’’ between Roma and non-Roma was taken up by a conference organised by the European Roma Information Office (ERIO) at the European Economic and Social Committee on 22 April 2013. The International Romani Day 8 April is a good day to remember what happened recently to members of the Roma community in Europe. In France alone, about 10,000 Roma were sent back to Romania and Bulgaria in 2009. The following year, at least another 8,300 Roma were (...)

Children’s well-being: investing in a healthy future - a silent emergency in Europe

On 27 March, the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Daciana Octavia SÂRBU (S & D, RO) hosted a seminar on child health, nutrition and education policies. In her speech, EPHA Secretary General Monika Kosińska highlighted why is it important to put child well-being at the heart of EU policies. In her speech, MEP Daciana Octavia SÂRBU (S&D, RO) stressed that good and healthy nutrition have a crucial impact on children life expectancy and that the role of the parents in (...)

[Save the date] FEANTSA Seminar - Housing Rights in Hungary

For the past few years, the Hungarian government has been systematically targeting homeless people (even criminalising them), while failing to ensure sufficient support services and appropriate accommodation. EPHA Member FEANTSA (the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless) and Housing Rights Watch (HRW), along with partners in Hungary, will hold a seminar to bring allies together to consider legal and political strategies to combat this alarming trend in (...)

Preparation for the 6th Fundamental Rights Platform Meeting (24-26 April 2013, Vienna)

FRA Director, Morten Kjaerum, met civil society representatives to discuss how FRA and civil society can cooperate to protect fundamental rights in the EU. This meeting was in preparation for the upcoming 6th Fundamental Rights Platform Meeting, which will take place in Vienna (24-26 April) where EPHA will be represented. About the Fundamental Rights Agency The new Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) was launched in March 2007 by Council Regulation (EC) No 168/2007. The European Fundamental (...)

“Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage” recommends EU’s Social Investment Package

The European Commission has recently proposed a Social Investment Package - a framework that sets up a number of recommendations to promote social protection and investments in people skills and capability. One of the elements of the package is to ”Invest in Children and Break the cycle of Disadvantages” which encourages regional and local authorities to follow EU guidelines on reducing child poverty and social exclusion, and promote well-being. Reducing the risk of poverty (...)