The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) was marked this year while the preparation of the first European Union Strategy to Combat Poverty is underway.
As this discussion is at an advanced stage but still far from being concluded, it is worth highlighting some relevant ideas in this regard.
To begin with, the observation that poverty constitutes a violation of human and people’s rights is highlighted. In its multiple expressions, poverty means the denial of political, economic, social and cultural rights. The response to this must be constructed based on policies that aim to fully realize these rights, considered in their universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelationship.
On the other hand, poverty and social exclusion are a reflection of the unequal distribution of wealth, both in terms of income and assets.
An adequate response to the multifactorial origin and multidimensional expression of poverty requires social cohesion policies, with an integrated approach that comprehensively attacks poverty at its deep roots, without compartmentalizing or segmenting it, nor understanding it as a natural or inexorable social phenomenon.
It follows, on the other hand, that the fight against poverty must begin with political commitment to its eradication. It is not enough to reduce the number of people in poverty or mitigate its consequences. It is necessary to aim for its eradication, removing those in this situation from poverty and preventing it from multiplying in other lives in the future.
This political commitment must be assumed with firmness and determination. Reducing the scope of international commitments already signed in this regard, such as the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN, should not be accepted. Identifying the eradication of poverty in the European Union as an urgent objective, setting a 10-year calendar (2035) for its achievement, is an ambitious proposal but corresponding to the relevance and seriousness of the issue.
On the other hand, the articulation between the various levels of decision and intervention must be correctly defined. Respecting the principle of subsidiarity, the scope of responsibilities at the level of the EU, Member States and regions must be clearly and adequately defined so that the objective of eradicating poverty is achieved.
Budgetary resources appropriate to the size of the project to be pursued must also be defined. It is essential to strengthen the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework and the resources that, from it, can be mobilized for the social investment necessary to eradicate poverty.
The democratic participation of people living in poverty is equally essential. It is necessary to create mechanisms for political participation for people in situations of poverty so that they have a say in decision-making, implementation and evaluation of policies aimed at them.
Following the clues of this trail, we will certainly build a more democratic future for future generations.
Member of the European Parliament
Write without applying the new Spelling Agreement
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