Eerste bijeenkomst Europees platform tegen Armoede en Sociale uitsluiting (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Pools voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2011 i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 19 oktober 2011.

More than 400 participants took part in the first convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion, held in Cracow on 17th-18thOctober 2011.

The debate was conducted by Jolanta Fedak, Minister of Labour and Social Policy, and Secretary of State Jaroslaw Duda i, representing the Polish Presidency.The European Commission was represented by Commissioner Laszlo Andor i.

The convention evaluated the extent to which its goal, set in 2010, to reduce the number of impoverished people in the European Union by 20 million, by 2020, was being implemented. The family policies of Member States were reviewed. Basic matters pertaining to the employment of youth, innovative social policies, the social economy and the fight against social exclusion were discussed.

The convention participants paid a visit to social-welfare institutions, financed by the European Social Fund, working to help disabled people enter the job market.

The conclusions formulated during the convention will be presented at the EPSCO i Council on 1st December 2011 in Brussels.