Evropa 2020

Speech by Staffan Nilsson at Conference of the European Public Health Alliance "Europe 2020: Delivering a healthy and sustainable future for all?" at Hotel Leopold in Brussels.

EESC statement to the Spring European Council

The fight against poverty is at the heart of the EU agenda for growth in the economy, employment and society following the commitment of the heads of state or government to lift at least 20 million people out of poverty. However, the Commission acknowledges that the "most vulnerable in our societies have borne much of the impact of the economic crisis". The Communication on the Platform against Poverty notes that those hit hardest are the unemployed, low earners, children, young people and those experiencing severe material deprivation across all ages and communities.

"My work programme "Engaging People for a Sustainable Europe" has three pillars: Dialogue and participation- Sustainability and Growth- Solidarity and development. It fully supports our work on the Europe 2020 Strategy.

During my meeting with Mr Barroso he stressed that civil society organisations have a key role to play in the practical implementation of the reforms to be carried out in the framework of Europe 2020 Strategy." ...