Date: 25 - 26 October, Hamburg

Purpose of meeting:
To provide a forum for reflection and action on the issues of extreme poverty, marginalization and exclusion both from a political and practical perspective.

Objectives and Programme:
This meeting will particularly address the issue of EU Citizenship, Homelessness and EU Free Movement ahead of the European Year 2013 on EU citizenship and in the context of the social challenges arising from EU citizens exercising their right to freedom of movement within the European Union, namely poverty and destitution of EU migrants.
•    To reflect on the phenomena of destitution and free movement, and to look at different existing responses and approaches to the issue by members and by local and national authorities.  
•    To bring together members with an interest in fighting EU destitution to share their challenges and best practices in tackling this issue.
•    To review recent related political initiatives and identify potential actions that could be taken at European and national level.

Who can Attend?
The meeting is open to all persons working or volunteering in Diaconia at national, regional or local level who have an interest in fighting EU destitution and to share their challenges and best practices in tackling this issue.

How does this fit into the strategic plan 2011 – 2013?
The network is specifically linked to Goal 1:  Develop and enable membership engagement and partnerships, both internally and externally, that develop praxis and extend resources and Goal 2: Create a network of competence to impact relevant social policies at national and European level.

What planned follow up is there?
This network will physically meet twice a year.  However, the aim is that members will continue to work together with the Eurodiaconia secretariat via email and web space to follow EU developments around this issue and continue and where possible contribute to the debate.

Financial Information:
Limited Financial Support is available for this event and therefore financial support will only be allocated to participants coming from either Central or Eastern Europe or from minority church diaconia.  Applications for financial support should be made when registering for participation in the meeting.  However, no tickets etc. should be booked until the staff member responsible for the event has confirmed if financial support will be given.  

Financial support will only be given to one representative of eligible member organizations.

How to Apply:
A more detailed invitation will be sent nearer to the date. If you are interested in receiving more information about this meeting or contributing to it, please contact the person responsible for the event in the Eurodiaconia secretariat.

Any Special Information:
Due to the nature and interest of members in extreme poverty and marginalization this network will meet TWICE a year.  Each meeting will have a focus on some specific topics as well as on general political updates.  This will be the second meeting in 2012 and will be hosted Hamburg Stadt Mission (City Mission) in Hamburg, Germany.  The network meeting will also include an opportunity to learn more about the work of the Hamburg Stadt Mission thanks to a study visit.