Social Europe

Poverty is a threat to the European project

20 May May 2016 0926 20 May 2016

Over 300 people from across Europe will gather in Lourdes at the end of May for a 4-day Caritas Europa conference to contribute to the building of the European project.

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Over 300 people from across Europe will gather in Lourdes at the end of May for a 4-day Caritas Europa conference to contribute to the building of the European project.

44 Caritas organisations from 42 European countries will participate with delegations consisting of Caritas staff and volunteers and people living in poverty and vulnerability. They will be joined by Caritas representatives from all continents of the world. The participants’ experiences and testimonies will contribute to the shaping of Caritas' future actions to eradicate poverty and strengthen social cohesion in Europe.

“Being part of this Regional Conference will give me the strength to unite with other people to develop and share ideas of how we can decrease poverty and increase inclusion with an open heart full of love,” said André Bonello from Caritas Malta.

During the four days, the participants will be encouraged to dialogue and exchange in fraternity their views on family and child poverty; migration and asylum; participation in the economy; and exclusion and extreme vulnerability.

“Poverty is a threat to the European project. As our recent report 'End poverty in Europe' shows, people in Europe are still suffering from the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008. Austerity measures have brought about cuts in social services that are vital for the most vulnerable among us. The current political choice of favouring economic recovery over the basic needs of the people is contrary to the social teachings of the Church,” said Msgr. Luc van Looy, President of Caritas Europa and Bishop of Ghent.

Poverty is a threat to the European project. As our recent report 'End poverty in Europe' shows, people in Europe are still suffering from the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008. Austerity measures have brought about cuts in social services that are vital for the most vulnerable among us. The current political choice of favouring economic recovery over the basic needs of the people is contrary to the social teachings of the Church.

Luc van Looy, President of Caritas Europa and Bishop of Ghent

Today, over 120 million people in Europe are living in poverty and social exclusion. This situation continues to be a badge of shame that European leaders must tackle urgently. Europe needs to revive its founding values of solidarity, fraternity and dignity.

Through this conference, Caritas Europa practices its preferential option for the poor and empowers the most vulnerable by creating a space where they will actively participate in shaping actions that affect them directly. In this manner, Caritas Europa lives out solidarity with the European project.

Migrants and refugees are among those hit the hardest by poverty in Europe’s fringes. We are deeply concerned about the lack of solidarity in dealing with the migration crisis and believe that Europe needs to take responsibility to tackle its root causes. Caritas is contributing to this responsibility through its peace and development projects with vulnerable communities all over the world.

Nuño Mayer, Secretary General of Caritas Europa.

Cover photo: Getty /Oli Scarff

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