The IMF launched a new working paper on the issue of redistribution. An important working paper because it shows that redistribution doesn’t obstruct growth. IMF has recognized in recent years that one cannot separate issues of economic growth and stability on one hand and equality on the other. Indeed, there is a strong case for considering inequality and an inability to sustain economic growth as two sides of the same…
Social Platform made a short report of our conference and published it in The Social Compass February 18, 2014. On February 13, the Alliances To Fight Poverty organised a Round Table event to present and discuss the Memorandum “Another Europe is possible: for a fair distribution” putting forward their priorities in view of the forthcoming European elections. Different stakeholders were invited to present their views on the Memorandum, including Claire…
Opinion. The European elections would seem to be turning into a battle between two great images of Europe: on the one hand is the image of the usurping juggernaut that Eurosceptics emphasize; and on the other hand we have the image of the extensive federal state that the European federalists propagate. However, both images are strikingly similar. They look upon Europe as a new state: a new state with full…
Conference: the urgent call for a social, democratic and sustainable Europe 13th of February 2014 from 9 am till 4 pm The Alliances to fight poverty are presenting their call for a social, democratic and sustainable Europe to members of the European social and civil organisations and to the members of the European parliament. A confrontation introduced by prof. Richard Wilkinson: does inequality in Europe matters? A confrontation with EAPN,…
The Alliances to fight Poverty presents his memorandum for the next European elections. It is more than a memorandum. It is an awakening Call and a Call that wants to unite -like the Alliances- every organisation and everyone around the fight to poverty, social exclusion and inequality. It formulates our main vision on Europe, a renewed Europe, a social, democratic and sustainable Europe. The ‘Alliances to fight poverty’ put forward three essential…
The deepening divisions in Europe and the need for a radical alternative to EU policies The European Union is set to exit from recession, but parts of Europe are beset with depression-like conditions; unemployment is exceptionally high in the peripheral euro area countries and not expected to decline appreciably in the near future. The EuroMemorandum 2014 critically analyses recent economic developments in Europe and emphasises the need for an alternative…
Social Platform published an appealing and motivating text about inequalities. You find here one of the reasons why we need a fair distribution. A distribution on power, on resources and means, and on a future for everyone. Inequalities Inequality in Europe is growing because of policies implemented over the past 20 years. This has contributed to deeper social and wealth disparities and to weaker social cohesion. The economic crisis over…
The labour market today is under severe pressure in all European countries. The crisis is (ab)used to change hard-won labour rights fundamentally, with negative consequences for the most vulnerable groups in the labour market. They are pushed more and more into precarious, temporary and inferior jobs with negative consequences for people living on the edge or in poverty. Poverty rates – even for those who have work – are rising alarmingly.…
The Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty will take place in Glasgow on the 15th and 16th of March – this Thursday and Friday. The Assembly will bring together community groups, voluntary organisations, policy makers and politicians, faith groups, trade unionists, academics – all those looking for the ideas and the actions to create a fairer Scotland. The event is fully booked, but you can watch the live stream of the plenary sessions…
Decenniumdoelen regrets that the European Parliament has not voted the proposal for a framework directive on a European minimum income. With the Framework Directive, the Commission can introduce the principle of an adequate minimum wage in Europe. The Framework Directive could oblige Member States to take steps towards this minimum. Decenniumdoelen wanted the Flemish representatives in Parliament to support the proposal. Several representatives, however, abstained or voted against. This is a missed opportunity…