2010: European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

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19 January 2010 - 11:38am
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• Europe
• European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Poverty
• social exclusion

European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

Living in poverty may result in a variety of problems, from not
having enough money to spend on food and clothes to suffering poor
housing conditions and even homelessness. Poverty also means having to
cope with limited lifestyle choices that may lead to social exclusion.

Inspired by its founding principle of solidarity, the European Union has joined forces with its Member States to make 2010 the European Year For Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The key objectives are to raise public awareness about these issues and
renew the political commitment of the EU and its Member States to
combat poverty and social exclusion.

The guiding principle of the 2010 Year is to give voice to the
concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion,
and to inspire every European citizen and other stakeholders to engage
with these important issues.

This Year also aims to challenge stereotypes and collective
perceptions of poverty. By harnessing the EU’s principles of solidarity
and partnership, 2010 represents a clarion call to tackle the causes of
poverty head-on in a bid to ensure everyone can play a full and active
role in society.

Civil society organisations and social partners will join
participating countries and the European Commission to run a series of
activities throughout 2010.

Two European-level conferences will take place in January and
December; an art initiative will build a bridge between people
experiencing poverty and social exclusion and the creative world; while
special training days will give the media and decision-makers fresh
insight into these complex subjects.

National and local events will take place in every EU Member State,
plus Norway and Iceland. Activities will include awareness raising
campaigns, workshops and information seminars in schools. Films,
magazines and other information material will be produced to help
people understand how poverty and social exclusion affect their
communities, and for those directly affected, increase awareness of
their rights.

Along with public figures, people who have experienced poverty will
act as campaign ambassadors, which will help to raise visibility and
credibility for the Year’s activities and invite others to get involved.

For more details on the Year, facts and figures, events and how to become involved, visit the site at http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/about/