Social rights

Title : Fight against poverty and resistance over the dismantlement of the welfare state in Europe-Social Rights for All

Coordinator: Katerina Poutou, President of the Greek Anti-Poverty Network, founding member of the Organization for Social Support of Youth "ARSIS", active member in the field of social demands and social policy at National and European level.

Setting the context: "Challenges and dilemmas of National and European Policies to combat Poverty, Requirements and conditions for the organization and coordination of Social movements"

9:30 a.m. -10.45 a.m.: Part A - Contributions (15 min each)

“The historical –political role of the welfare state in the realization of basic social rights – Forms of Solidarity and Self-organization and proposals for a Survival strategy”
Contribution by: Chris Jones, Academic in various UK Universities, Author of books on issues of Radical Social Work and Social Policy. In recent years he lives in Greece and writes on the Greek crisis.

“European Citizens’ Initiative for claiming the right to an unconditional basic income for Europe’s citizens”
Contribution by: Klaus Sambor, coordinator since 2004 of Attac network for claiming a right to basic income for all in Austria.

“Achieving an Adequate Minimum Income in Europe”
Contribution by: Amana Ferro, Policy Officer, EAPN Europe

“The effects of austerity and government cuts in the welfare state in children and the elderly in Spain and Europe. Proposals for joint action”

Contribution by: Juan Gutiérrez Currás, board member of the Spanish Council of the Syndicate of social workers, representative in the Alter Summit of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).

10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: Part B – Interventions (3 min each)

Initiator: Sonja Leemkuil, EAPN Netherlands, Co-Chair of EAPN’s EU Inclusion Strategies Group, bringing the views of people experiencing poverty.
“Voices from the ground”

Interventions (3 minutes) from invited representatives of agencies / organizations / networks member of:
Pensioners, single parents, youth and women, child protection, the right to housing and accommodation, unemployment, mental health, disability, rehabilitation, Roma, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Immigration, Social and Human Rights.

11:15 a.m. - 12:00: Part C - Proposals for Joint Action (open plenary)

Initiator: Maria Jeliazkova, EAPN Bulgaria, member of EAPN’s Executive Committee, expert in social policy at European level.
“Alternatives exist – Council of Europe study examples”

Discussion and suggestions for cooperation and common action (short and medium) at National and European level between all organizations involved in the thematic session on Social Rights and Poverty.

12.00 - 12.30: Summary - Conclusions:

Maria Marinakou, EAPN Greece, member of EAPN’s Executive Committee
Amana Ferro, EAPN Europe

Info: The 1st Alter Summit will be held in Athens on 7 and 8 June 2013, at the Velodrome of the Olympic Stadium (OAKA).

The thematic session on combating poverty will be held on Saturday, 8 June, from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, at the same venuw.

Website: www.altersummit.eu