On 9 September 2014, Eurodiaconia co-organised a cross-party breakfast meeting in the European Parliament to discuss what role the European Parliament will play in its new mandate to address poverty and social exclusion.

The success of this meeting came from the six main political party joining forces together through Eurodiaconia. The meeting was co-hosted by Dennis de Jong MEP (GUE – NL), Jean Lambert MEP (Green – UK), Sylvie Goulard MEP (ALDE – FR), Jutta Steinruck MEP (S&D – DE), Arne Gernicke MEP (ECR – DE) and Danuta Jazłowiecka MEP (EPP – PL) and gathered 18 MEPs from accross the party spectrum as well as 62 participants including MEP assistants, NGOs and Christian organisations. Together participants discussed how can MEPs work together in this new mandate to address Poverty in Europe. Participants recognised that a key step will be to work for the poverty reduction target to remain within the EU 2020 strategy, in the context of the mid-term review.

The first step to follow-up on this initiative is now to gather enough signature for the European Parliament intergroup on Poverty to be re-established. Eurodiaconia members are encouraged to contact their MEPs and ask them to support the intergroup. If you have any question on this please or on thsi event, please contact  clotilde.clark-foulquier@eurodiaconia.org

Breakfast meeting 2 (1280x853)

For more information:

Press Release: Working across political divisions to tackle poverty in Europe

Presentation of the European Parliament Poverty and social exclusion Intergroup