Belgian State Secretary Philippe Courard, who openly admits that he is disappointed with the poverty reduction target set in the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy, does not intend to leave it at that. Belgium has already placed this matter among its social priorities, in parallel with combating homelessness and establishing a European minimum income. On 2 and 3 September, the Presidency will sponsor a conference in Marche-en-Famenne on child poverty, “because through children, we reach the entire family,” explained the state secretary for social integration and poverty reduction.

Entitled ‘Road map for a recommendation on combating child poverty’, the conference will address the subjects of adequate income, access to quality services and active participation by children and young people and will emphasise young people’s opinions. The UNICEF Belgium report, ‘That’s what we think’, which reviews the experiences of young people affected by poverty in Belgium, and the methodology handbook drawn up by UNICEF Belgium and the King Baudouin Foundation, will provide input for the discussions.

The Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, together with Princess Astrid and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, will participate in the conference.

“NOT LIKE LISBON”

“We want results,” commented Courard, on 31 August. “This conference is a real opportunity for the Belgian government to influence European policy on reducing child poverty, and particularly the political process.” He hopes the groundwork achieved at the conference will pave the way to an EU recommendation on combating child poverty. Such a recommendation could be finalised under either the Hungarian or Polish EU Presidency, he suggested.

Meanwhile, Belgium wishes to see the heads of state adopt a strong declaration at the end of the European Year for Combating Poverty, in the form of a binding commitment and precise targets. “The recommendation has to be more than a mere expression of concern, as was the case with the Lisbon strategy. We want results, but we are well aware that it won’t be easy, which was made clear with the discussions on the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy.”

Background

The new ‘Europe 2020’ strategy aims to reduce the number of Europeans in danger of poverty by 20%. In their effort to contribute to this EU target, the member states can use the poverty indicator of their choice: either the person’s income, material deprivation or the household’s level of employment. The European Commission is expected to unveil before the end of the year its flagship initiative ‘Platform against poverty’.