About the Seminar | Programme | Register | Venue | Contact information    12:57 - JNM - Caritas Europa has produced this Ten Pack of Recommendations. My 11th recommendation is that the European Commission takes them into consideration. 12:53 - JNM - I read the interview the German Finance Minister gave to a big German magazine on the situation in Greece. I was appalled by his answers. His message was mainly that crisis is hard and poor people will have to suffer. Is this all what we can expect from the most influencial and powerful finance minister in Europe? 12:51 - JNM - It is a shame when we read about the increase of child poverty on the newspapers and then, in the very newspaper, we read about decision-makers ear-marking billions to help the banks. 12:50 - Jorge Nuno Mayer (Caritas Europa) - presents Ten Pack of Recommendations on Child Poverty 12:14 - Questions and Answers 12:13 - RK - Why are the poor poor? 1. answer Because they have no money. 2 answer They have no job. 3. answer They are lazy and breed. This 3rd answer is dangerously increasing in Europe. And while this danger grows, we fail to ask why are the rich richer.   12:12 - Rosemary Keenan - We hope that the EU has a passionate commitment to reduce child poverty. 12:10 - VK - The EU must focus on doing well within its borders but also on supporting positive solutions in third countries. 12:08 - VK - Austerity measures have showed that there is a level of inter-relation of child poverty across Europe. The impact of the worsening of child poverty in Europe will be felt on the whole EU, it won't stay within the national borders. We have alredy examples in Europe on how good policies succeed in ensuring the limitation of child poverty. If some countries can, others can too.    12:05 - Verena Knaus (Unicef) - Child Poverty discussions must be at the core of Europe 2020, at the core of the discussions on austerity measures and other policies. 12:05 - JH - The role of the private sector is also vital in the fight against poverty. They have to offer quality jobs and pay fair salaries. 12:00 - Jana Hainsworth (Eurochild) - Despite the 2020 focus on poverty, it is very clear that member states are not addressing child poverty 12:00 - CM - It is very important to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty. There are groups of children in Europe that haven't access to social services, like Roma children. 11:59 - CM - Specific focus point for children from very exposed groups and most exposed for poverty and social exclusion. They need extra measures. Participation and ownership is paramount. 11:57 - Catherine Mallet (Eurodiaconia) - Commission must monitor how to best implement the Active Inclusion Strategy. 11:54 - SJ - Austerity measures need to be reviewed. We need to change tak in Europe. EAPN calls on the EU to stop the measures of austerity! 11:53 - SJ - We need proper monitoring through Europe 2020 and the national reports. 11:52 - Sian Jones (EAPN) - We are supporting the work done by the Commission until now. We are asking for a minimum income at EU level and access to quality work. As well as to access to child care services adapted to full-time work life. 11:51 - RU - I want to call on decision-makers to stop these austerity measures that are having devastating effects on the poor 11:50 - RU - But above all, we need a fair minimum income. 11:49 - RU - Housing policies must be reviewed. Rent can amount up to 40% of incomes. 11:48 - RU - Quality social services and social services of public interest. Including education, free access to school materials, meals and other activities. 11:47 - Robert Urbe (Caritas Europa) - Social transfers like family allowances are necessary. We need a common frame at European level 11:46 - Panel discussion starts Michaël Stingre et Elnara Petit - Secours Catholique 11:35 - Presentation of Good Practices from France   On front, Hasmik Sargsyan - Caritas Armenia 11:30 Presentation of good practices from Armenia On the right, Joana Terzieva - Caritas Bulgaria 11:20 Presentation of good practices from Bulgaria 1:12 - Presentation of the good practices from Germany Verena Liessem - Caritas Germany   See Begona Kastella's presentation 11:04 - BK - With the rise of extreme right in Greece the kids of migrants are exposed to both poverty and racism 11:00 - BK - Malnutrition since 2011 is rising. Testimonies of children fainting at school due to lack of food. 11:00 - BK - Child poverty in Greece is estimated at 23% 11:00 - BK - Only 1 euro out of 10 bailout-euros does trickle down to the people 10:59 - Begona Kastiella - Testimony from Greece 10:51 - JL - People must earn so that they have enough to live on their work.  10:48 - JL - How great a level of poverty a Member State can tolerate for children? 10:46 - JL - Children's rights must be prioritised. This fits with the standards Caritas has set 10:46 - Jean Lambert (MEP) 10:45 - NO - The future of Europe's social cohesion lies on the well-being of our children 10:43 - NO - One of major priority of Cyprus EU Presidency will be strengthening social cohesion 10:42 - Niki Odysseus (Cyprus Permanent Representation to EU) See Elodie Fazi's presentation 10:39 - EF - Commission will adopt a set of recommendations on child poverty by end of the year. 10:33 - EF - Providing adequate income is not sufficient to address and prevent child poverty. We also need policies focusing on education, health, housing, social services and cultural services. 10:30 - EF - Even in times of growth, child poverty was not successfully decreased. 10:29 - EF - Social transfers have a important role to play. Countries spending most in social transfer have lowest child poverty. 10:27 - EF - Different Member States have different realities. The Commission's aware that you cannot apply a one size fits all solution 10:26 - EF - Labour market is a huge factor impacting on child poverty. Being at work does not mean that you are not at risk of poverty. 10:25 - EF - 20.5% of children in the EU are at risk of poverty 10:24 - Elodie Fazi (European Commission) takes the floor See Rosemary Keenan's presentation 10:22 - RK - The Caritas Ten Pack recommendations matters as well as the good practices that we are going to share today. They matter for today and for the Europe of tomorrow  10:19 - RK - Future of Europe is on its children's hands. Poor neighbourhood in London 10:16 - RK - Working poor represent a fast growing group in Europe. Their economic situation makes it difficult to raise their children.  10:11 - RK - factors affecting poverty: labour market for parents, household composition, government's intervention through effective income support and provision of enabling services 10:09 - RK - 3 key things to be done: Protect children against the adverse effects of the crisis, put families, childpoverty and well-being at the heart of Europe 2020 and address child poverty through an integrated process 10:08 - RK - Things are not looking good for children living in poverty in Europe 10:07 - Rosemary Keenan - EU's target of lifting at least 20 milion people out of poverty by 2020 will not be reached 10:04 - MO We have to ensure that child poverty remains in the agenda of decision-makers in Europe 10:00 - Chair Maureen O'Neill Welcome everybody   19 June 2012 - "Tackling Child Poverty - Good Practice Shaping Policy" starts off   Notes from the editor: The quotes from the speakers were created through life blogging- they are unauthorised but represent a close reflection of the contents of the presentations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This event is kindly hosted by the  This event is financed by the INCLUSION II Project under the PROGRESS Programme. PROGRESS (2007-2013) is the EU programme for Employment and Social Solidarity, set up to provide financial support for contributing to the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/progress