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31.05.13 - “25 million children in the European Union at risk of poverty or social exclusion”
On International Day of Children, Caritas Europa calls on the EU and Member States to prioritise tackling child poverty. 07.03.13 - Caritas Europa calls on EU Member States to fully implement the European Commission’s Child Poverty Recommendation
To Caritas Europa, the issue of child and family poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing the EU and its Member States. By comparing the Commission’s recommendations to Caritas Europa’s Ten-Pack of Recommendations, it is clear that the Commission has taken notice of every single suggestion by Caritas Europa. 13.02.13 - Economic crisis not over... worst still to come
A new Caritas Europa study reveals disturbing levels of poverty and deprivation in the five EU countries worst hit by the economic crisis; Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.



 08.02.13 - The Beyond 2015 Framework must include Poverty, Food Security and Participation
The EU Development Ministers must champion poverty eradication, food security and participation as core elements of the post MDG Development framework. 17.01.13 - EU -Wide Wide Youth Guarantee Schemes prevent from falling into poverty and social exclusion
“This is a very important decision of the Members of the Parliament (MEP) since youth poverty is one of the main challenges of the EU...,” says Jorge Nuño Mayer, Secretary General of Caritas Europa 11.01.13 - The European Commission proposal on the European Year of Citizens 2013 lacks focus on the poor and socially excluded
“With more than 120 million citizens living at risk of poverty and social exclusion, a European Year dedicated to citizens that does not involve everyone would be a mistake,” says Jorge Nuño Mayer, Caritas Europa Secretary General. 18.12.12 - Member States hampering family reunification are in breach with EU law
On the International Migrants Day, Caritas Europa calls on Member States that are not complying with the Family Reunification Directive to change stance and stop shattering families and causing unnecessary suffering.  10.12.12 - Does the EU really look at every human being as equal in dignity and rights?
European leaders describe the EU as a Champion of Human Rights, and yet EU policies do not sufficiently prevent suffering for thousands of thousands of people in Europe and abroad who find themselves completely dispossessed of their human dignity and rights. 05.12.12 - Migrants have rights too: The European Council must live up to the EU’s role as champion of human rights
Caritas Europa calls on EU decision makers to take the respect of human rights of migrants into consideration amidst fears that the European Council might not back up the European Parliament’s proposal to include a humanitarian mandate in the Regulation establishing the Eurosur border surveillance system in the forthcoming negotiations the two Institutions are to hold in short time.

 28.11.12 - The EU Eastern Partnership's programme must deliver more on migration
Citizens from the Eastern Partnership countries looking for a brighter future in the EU are confronted with a restrictive common migration policy approach that pushes thousands of them into irregular situations and the informal economy. 17.10.12 - The EU must guarantee the Right to Food in the Post-2015 development framework
Caritas Europa expects that EU policies in assistance, investments and trade will effectively contribute to ensure the “Right to Food” in the post-2015 development framework. Secure access to adequate and safe food is a universal Human Right, which all states of the international community are mutually obliged to respect, protect and fulfill. 09.10.12 - Child Poverty must be tackled in context of Family Poverty

Caritas Europa is calling on decision makers in all 27 EU Member States and in the European Institutions to reconsider the use of austerity measures – particularly as they impact on children and their families – as part of wider attempts to promote economic recovery 18.10.12 - Increase children's opportunities for participation
Caritas Europa encourages Member States to promote the increased participation of children in social, sporting, recreational, cultural and civic activities, and particularly to ensure the participation of social excluded and disadvantaged children. 12.09.12 - Respect for Human Rights Must Be on Top of FRONTEX's Agenda
Caritas Europa has sent a letter to the European Ombudsman raising concerns on the functioning of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (FRONTEX) and its democratic control.  17.08.12 - Caritas Europa Welcomes UN’s “I Was Here” Campaign on World Humanitarian Aid 2012
This Sunday 19 August is the World Humanitarian Aid Day. On this occasion, Caritas Europa wants to salute thank all humanitarian aid workers across the planet for their commitment and generosity to mankind.  29.05.12 - Migrants laws must respect rights of migrants and refugees
Caritas Europa and Caritas organisations in the Mediterranean call on the EU to ensure the coherence between the Union’s and Member States’ policies on migration and the respect for human rights.  15.05.12 - EU must safeguard family life of migrants and refugees
Caritas Europa calls on the European Commission and EU Member States to guarantee the effective right to family life and family reunification for all migrants and beneficiaries of international protection.  22.11.11 - Europe 2020 Strategy Must Include both Economic and Social Dimensions
Caritas Europa delivers a Shadow Report on the Europe 2020 Strategy. The report has been submitted to the European Commission in the view of the Annual Growth Survey that will be released today, 23 Novembre 08.11.11 - EU Policies Violate the Rights of Poor People
Caritas Europa believes that the Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) principle as stated in the Lisbon Treaty needs to be better promoted and implemented. CONCORD’s report on PCD will serve as the basis for advocating at EU level namely considering the publication of the third EC report on PCD for ensuring that the aims and objectives of EU development co-operation policy are not undermined by other EU policies. 27.05.11 - Guarantee Reception and Fair Treatment of Those Fleeing Middle East and North Africa
The Regional Conference of all the Caritas organisations in Europe, gathering in Rome on the 26th of May, in the light of the crisis in the Mediterranean region, calls upon the governments to guarantee the reception and fair treatment of those fleeing from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.  03.05.11 - EU leaders’ plans to reinstate border checks would certainly be opposed by Schuman and Monnet
Caritas Europa is critical to the current tendency of watering down the right to move freely within the EU 16.12.10 - Caritas to hand over thousands of signatures from people across Europe denouncing the scandal of poverty to Belgian Presidency
Caritas Internationalis General Secretary and EU Ambassador of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion Lesley-Ann Knight will be at the Closing Conference of the European Year 2010 that will be held tomorrow, Friday 17 December 08.12.10 - Fighting poverty amid the crisis and austerity measures
Caritas Europa wants to conclude the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion by discussing with EU-profiles means to harness the achievement of 2010 and ensure that the fight against poverty will continue despite the ongoing economic crisis and the series of austerity measures that are being implemented by Member States 06.12.10 - Caritas at the European Development Days
Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley Anne Knight will be at the European Development Days in Brussels on 6 December in her capacity as Ambassador for the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 29.11.10 - Caritas Europa to the EU – Eradicate root causes of forced migration and make migration a safe option
Representing Caritas Europa, Daniel Verger, Director for international action and advocacy at Secours Catholique – Caritas France, participates today at the EU-Nomad seminar on Migration and Development where he will present an analysis of the dynamics between migration and development. 19.11.10 - The Common Agriculture Policy is not only about Europeans
Caritas Europa urges the European policy-makers to ensure that the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) will have no more negative impact on the food security and livelihood of farmers and poor people in developing countries 18.11.10 - Thousands-strong solidarity ring encircles European Parliament
With poverty and inequality levels rising throughout Europe, the 2010 Coalition of Social NGOs calls for a solidarity gathering today to urge the European institutions and Member States’ governments to give a more sustainable and equitable response to the crisis, instead of making the most vulnerable carry the cost 14.10.10 - EU President Van Rompuy and Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga, President of Caritas Internationalis, met to share the objective of Zero Poverty
Mr. Van Rompuy was invited to be a part of the Zero Poverty movement, as well as his peers at the top of the EU. Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga shared his view that zeroing Poverty is not only Caritas’ business, but everyone’s and, thus, should be a top priority for the EU 11.10.10 - Herman Van Rompuy to receive Caritas President Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga on poverty
Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga, President of the global network of Caritas, will meet Mr. Van Rompuy next Thursday, 14th of October at 11 o’clock to discuss political proposals for fighting poverty designed by Caritas organisations in Europe in the frame of the Zero Poverty campaign 17.09.10 - Millennium Development Goals - To promise is not enough [IT]
Caritas Europa shares with the magazine Italia Caritas the position of the Caritas in Europe on MDGs ahead of the pivotal UN Summit that will take place in New York during the 20-22 September 2010 08.09.10 - African Church leaders meet European leaders: 'change needs to be African-driven'
Ahead of the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit in New York (20-22 September), a delegation of African bishops and development experts are currently in Europe to meet European political leaders and discuss efforts to improve the well-being of African communities, the obstacles they encounter and priorities to achieve change 16.06.10 - "Zero Poverty is possible", says Caritas Europa in view of forthcoming European Council
Economic growth and social solidarity are not mutually exclusive. The Lisbon Treaty has created the conditions to add a stronger social dimension to the EU policy. Will the European Council be bold enough to build on them?  10.05.10 - European Council: Resources and oversight needed to make new food security commitments work

Joint press release of Aprodev, CIDSE and Caritas Europa 04.05.10 - Millennium Development Goals: Will the EU meet its commitments?
5 key-recommendations from Caritas Europa for the EU's MDGs Action Plan to meet pledged goals 14.04.10 - Caritas participates in the agenda of the European Inter-Ministerial Conference on Immigration and Integration in Zaragoza
Peter Verhaeghe, Migration Officer, represents Caritas Europa

Available in [ES] 04.03.10 - Catholic development agencies and partners worldwide demand better cooperation with the European Commission
Today in the European Parliament, CIDSE & Caritas Europa presented a unique set of recommendations to the European Commission in an attempt to improve cooperation between the Commission and Civil Society Organisations.

Read the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Forum 26.02.10 - Press Invitation: Caritas Europa and CIDSE conference at the European Parliament
North-South civil society cooperation: How will the European Commission provide an enabling environment?

 12.02.10 - On Sunday 14 February: "Meet the poor"
Joint COMECE-Caritas Europa Press Release
On Sunday 14 February, the Holy Father will visit some Caritas projects in Rome. During this visit he will meet spiritually all the poor of Europe, as an expression of solidarity with them, setting an example to all of us

 27.01.10 - Poverty is a Scandal – Launch of Caritas Europa’s Zero Poverty Campaign
It is with this central message - poverty is unacceptable in the 21st century - that Caritas Europa is launching today its Zero Poverty campaign for the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion at the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by MEP Elisabeth Schroedter  30.10.09 - Numbers on the table, but where is the money coming from?
Faith Based Development agencies say EU position on financial support fails to relieve climate change burden on developing countries  26.10.09 - Caritas Europa hopes that EU Head of States will mend Finance Ministers’ failure on climate change
EU Finance Ministers meeting last Thursday, 22 October, failed to agree on the scale and sources of money to be dedicated to help developing countries deal with climate change and pursue low carbon development 14.10.09 - Incoherence between EU Policies undermines the poorest nations’ right to development
Caritas Europa strongly supports the analysis and recommendations in the report “Spotlight on Policy Coherence” launched today by CONCORD in response to the EC Communication and report on Policy Coherence for Development 23.09.09 - PROMOTING DIALOGUE ON SOCIAL ISSUES ACROSS BORDERS:
The Caritas Europa Trans-regional Conference on Social Inclusion
 12.05.09 - Press invitation: On My Way - Returnees Picturing Their Way Back Home
 23.04.09 - European societies taking responsability in addressing the social effects of the crisis
 30.04.09 - The Caritas Europa Social Policy Forum requests human solutions for a human-made crisis
 01.04.09 - Caritas calls on the EU to put commitments towards the poor at the heart of G20 talks
 19.12.08 - Meeting the forthcoming Czech EU Presidency
In the framework of its traditional advocacy work towards the successively forthcoming holders of the EU Presidency, Caritas Europa met representatives of the future Czech EU Presidency for an informal dialogue on relevant policy issues.

 23.12.08 - Making migration a choice rather than necessity
Caritas is urging governments to focus on protecting migrants and boosting development in poorer countries through the support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a bid to decrease forced migration at the Global Forum on Migration in Manila.

 17.12.08 - Caritas Europa reaches out to French EU Presidency on development and humanitarian issues
The network urges the EU Presidency to urgently take all the measures needed to tackle this crisis, which is currently creating diring living conditions for millions.  13.10.08 - 2nd European Day Against Human Trafficking: Caritas Europa and its partner organisations continue to mobilise forces
On the occasion of the 2nd European day of the fight against human trafficking, Secours Catholique-Caritas France and Caritas Europa are holding in Paris, on 16 October 2008, an international symposium entitled “Fighting trafficking in children: what is to done in the European Union?”.

 29.09.08 - Energy and climate policies – an issue for Caritas
Climate change has become the main driver of EU energy policy, which holds the key to matching relevant climate policy objectives. Developments over the last two years have put recognition of this on the top of the political agenda. However, there is still some way ahead in order to translate it into efficient policy responses. Addressing the Caritas Europa Executive Board in Brussels, Jørgen Henningsen presented a number of useful suggestions in this respect.

 05.09.08 - Hoping for actions behind the rhetoric from the Accra High-Level Forum
After three days of negotiations and horse trading, decision makers participating at the 3rd OECD High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness finally reached an agreement on how they intend to improve the effectiveness of development aid by 2010.

 16.09.08 - Working to reverse exclusion of Roma in Europe
On the occasion of the EU Summit on Roma in Eastern Europe taking place today in Brussels, Christoph Petrik-Schweifer, Caritas Austria's Secretary General for international issues and President of the Caritas Europa Internal Network Commission, stressed out the importance of education to effectively protect Roma from social exclusion: "The history of the Roma in Europe is a story of poverty and discrimination. We see in our work with the parties concerned that only education can sustainably stop this spiral downwards".

 10.07.08 - European Social NGOs advance idea of EU Social Pact at Informal Meeting of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers
The package proposed by the European Commission should be transformed into a pact aimed at putting the social progress in the center of the EU project and restoring the balance between social rights and market freedoms.

 03.06.08 - Caritas Serbia and Montenegro hosts European Caritas gathering on health and long-term care
With a view to a rapidly ageing Europe, home care provides a crucial answer to the increasing demands for care, especially from the elderly. Caritas organisations are profoundly engaged in the support of sick, disabled and vulnerable elderly people. In over twenty European countries they are directly involved in providing home care services and training. There are also at least eight European countries, where Caritas organisations are acting as donors for implementing home care in other European countries.

 20.05.08 - European Caritas gathering held in Slovenia with emphasis on the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Caritas Europa organises gathering to contribute to the reflection on how to shift the balance from social exclusion to social equity in Europe. It will focus on social security and social protection: different models will be analysed through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching in the perspective of ongoing changes in demography (family structure and relations), labour relations and welfare state.

 23.04.08 - Kick off for Caritas Europa’s INCLUSION under the PROGRESS community programme
Caritas Europa participates in PROGRESS (Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity) on the basis of a three-year Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission carrying the name of INCLUSION (Integrating and Nourishing Caritas Learning and Understanding of Social Inclusion through Optimal Networking).

 20.05.08 - Towards the French Presidency of the European Union
Caritas Europa is creating the basis for a fruitful collaboration with the forthcoming French EU Presidency. In a series of meetings at the French permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, a delegation of Caritas Europa presented its main advocacy positions to the advisory team of Ambassador Pierre Sellal.

 06.03.08 - Caritas Europa encourages inter-institutional dialogue among European Institutions on 2010 - the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Representatives of the European Commission, the Slovenian EU presidency and the European Parliament have met at the European Parliament in Brussels for a roundtable/dinner event, co-organised by Caritas Europa and sponsored by Ms Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, MEP from Luxembourg.

 18.02.08 - Caritas Europa joins major European networks' call for political commitment to end homelessness
For Caritas Europa actions towards the end of homelessness are in accordance with the social teaching of the Church and would be an important step towards putting an end to this ongoing violation of human rights in Europe.

 05.02.08 - Caritas Europa supports 2010 as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Poverty exists also in Europe. Reports of the Commission show that over 100 million people live on an income equivalent to a maximum of 22 euros a day.

 16.01.08 - Caritas Europa and Christian partner organisations address concerns about draft Return Directive
Caritas Europa and three other Christian organisations have addressed a letter to the Presidents of EU institutions expressing their concerns about recent developments concerning the European Commission's proposal for a Directive on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (Return Directive).

 13.11.07 - Building a coalition against poverty
Poverty in Tanzania and surrounding countries can only be eradicated if governments, donors and civil society organisations work closely together. Participants at a conference organised by CIDSE and Caritas Europa on November 13-16 in Arusha, Tanzania will share their experiences and discuss how they can improve collaboration in light of the new trends in development.

 18.10.07 - Press statement on the 1st European Day Against Human Trafficking
Caritas Europa firmly renews its commitment to combat human trafficking and related phenomena including:

• forced labour

• sexual exploitation

• slavery

• removal of organs

Download our poster for the Anti-trafficking Day

Learn about the initiatives of our members

 25.09.07 - Caritas Europa 5th Migration Forum: A fundamental step to bring migration and development closer
The event was a fundamental tool to foster coordination of experience and resources in the Caritas network and to shape the specific approach and core messages to be taken up in the Caritas advocacy work on Migration and Development in the upcoming years.

 19.09.07 - Caritas Europa 5th Migration Forum: Plea for the migrants’ right of movement between countries of destination and origin
For Caritas Europa, the migrants’ right of movement is a fundamental principle. Legal entry channels into the EU cannot be limited to reasons of family reunification or to skilled migrants, but should be an integral part of sustainable and responsible immigration policies.

 02.08.07 - People from developing countries testify about impact of Europe in their life
The European Union is the biggest economic actor and aid donor in the world. What is its impact on developing countries and on the lives of the populations?How do the people living in these countries really see the impact of Europe?

 09.07.07 - Churches make their voices heard at the Global Forum on Migration and Development
Caritas Europa advocates the acknowledgment of migrants as not simply providers of manpower, but human beings with a cultural heritage, friends and families, and inalienable dignity and rights.

 05.07.07 - DAC peer review should trigger EC aid reform
Over 50 civil society organizations and networks from 20 countries in the South and in Europe joined CIDSE and Caritas Europa in addressing a letter to the OECD Development Assistant Committee (DAC) representatives in June ahead of the EC peer review.

 03.07.07 - Caritas Europa reaches out to forthcoming Portuguese EU Presidency with request of coherence between migration and relevant EU policy fields
A Caritas Europa delegation met Dr Pedro Silva Pereira, Minister of Presidency, and other representatives of the Portuguese government to present the network's positions in the areas of migration and the fight against trafficking in human beings.

 24.04.07 - "Stigma or Solidarity?" - Catholic Church addresses HIV & AIDS pandemic in Europe
Having been recognised for barely 25 years, HIV has become one of the most formidable infectious agents confronting modern medicine. It is now the fourth greatest cause of death worldwide and, in Africa, the primary cause of death among adults.

 30.03.07 - Caritas Europa presents its advocacy priorities for the forthcoming Portuguese EU presidency
A Caritas Europa delegation came together with Dr Pedro Silva Pereira, Minister of Presidency, and other representatives of the Portuguese government including the High Commissioner for Migration and Inter-cultural dialogue. The delegation also took this opportunity to exchange with other catholic organisations and NGOs active in the areas of migration and the fight against trafficking in human beings.

Read our briefing paper for the meeting with the Portuguese Permanent Representation to the EU

 21.03.07 - With change, European Community Aid could make more of a difference for the poor
All donors have made important commitments to improve the effectiveness of their aid. The Caritas Europa and CIDSE report “The EU’s Footprint in the South: Does European Community development cooperation make a difference for the poor?” looks at how the largest EU donor, the European Commission, measures up. It draws upon research in Bangladesh, Zambia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Read the briefing of the report

 28.02.07 - Europe’s National Social Inclusion Strategies under the magnifying glass of Caritas Social Vision
The Caritas Europa document highlights an improved participation of civil society in the process leading to the National Strategic Reports. However, according there are still some sensitive areas that have not been adequately addressed.