Over 160 representatives of NGOs working with people living in poverty and subject to social exclusion across Europe met in the City of Toledo (Spain) for the 2006 General Assembly of the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) from 5 to 7 October.
The 2006 General Assembly of the European Anti Poverty Network was also an occasion to vote on EFSC's candidature to become a member of EAPN. The decision was adopted unanimously among voting members (one abstention was recorded) by the General Assembly. EFSC welcomed this decision as the vote of EAPN shows how seriously the child poverty issue has been taken.
EFSC believes that its membership in the EAPN can play an important role in order to raise awareness and influence national and European legislation in reducing poverty among children and particularly among excluded children. Additionally, the membership with the European Antipoverty Network will permit EFSC to join forces with those of other organisations involved in the fight against poverty in Europe. This will help to make it known and multiply the effects of EFSC members' activities, cooperate with the other EAPN Members, help EAPN in promoting greater transparency regarding specific consequences of poverty on children in the EU Member States, and provide EAPN with expertise in this field. EFSC will also contribute through concrete initiatives/campaigns as well as any possible support to EAPN action towards the European and Member States' legislators and policy makers to develop effective strategies for reducing child poverty.
Many contacts have been established between EFSC representatives and EAPN national and European organisations during the General Assembly. This is only the beginning of EFSC's long-term strategy, which is to have member organisations from all the Member States of the European Union.
See the EAPN press release and the final declaration adopted at the end of the 2006 EAPN General Assembly
For further information on EFSC activities and events, please contact Elisabetta Fonck (EFSC Advocacy, Lobbying and Fundraising Officer) or Reinhold Müller (EFSC Director), tel. +32 2 347 78 48 - fax +32 2 347 79 46 - E-mail: Elisabetta.fonck@enscw.org - Website: www.EFSC.org
For further information on EAPN events and activities, please contact Audrey Gueudet (Information officer) or Fintan Farrell (Director), tel. +32 2 230 44 55 - fax. +32 2 230 97 33 - E-mail: team@eapn.skynet.be - Website: www.eapn.org
