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Summary: Member state cutbacks are undermining strategies to combat child poverty, said one participant of an EU conference.
[19 June 2012] - Most people living below the poverty line in Europe are children and the EU and member states must push for child rights to be a priority, a conference has heard. Speaking at an event on tackling child poverty organised by Caritas Europa, a network of Catholic organisations, on Tuesday, UK Greens MEP Jean Lambert said "the voice of children is not being heard", and warned that "hope is being brought into question" for the next generation. "Even small periods of deprivation can harm child development," said Lambert, adding that this was why the European parliament is "pushing for specific targets to tackle child poverty". "We need high quality services and poverty reduction targets. Member state cutbacks are undermining the strategies that we do have," she said. Rosemary Keenan, of the Catholic Children's Society Westminster, said that the "future of Europe goes by way of the family and children", stressing that children are at the greatest risk of "poverty or social exclusion". Keenan said that the EU's headline target of lifting 20 million people out of poverty by 2020 is "low" and highlighted predictions that suggest Europe "will fall short on this target by 25 per cent". "Things are not looking good for children in poverty in the EU," she added. Social affairs and equal opportunities policy officer for the European commission's DG employment Elodie Fazi said giving children access to early education and care is essential to "break the cycle of inequality as early as possible". Fazi highlighted the importance of social transfers or government support, saying that "member states that spend the most have the lowest child poverty rate". "Many of the relevant policies are in member state hands, but the EU can support and complement action against child poverty. However, we need to strengthen our analytical tools and indicators," she said. Fazi also stressed that "work does not necessarily prevent poverty and one 'breadwinner' is often not enough" to lift families out of poverty. "Labour market exclusion is the main risk," she added. Social affairs attaché for the Cypriot permanent representation to the EU Niki Odysseos said that child poverty is "high" on the upcoming EU council presidency's agenda. "We must strengthen social cohesion by enhancing children's wellbeing. We need a multidimensional approach, including childcare services and education," she said. Poverty in numbers • In 2012, 116 million people are at risk of poverty in the EU  Further Information:
• 20.5 per cent of children in the EU are at risk of poverty
• 40.2 per cent of lone parent families in the EU are at risk of poverty
• Government support through social transfers reduces child poverty by 40 per cent in the EUÂ
pdf: http://www.theparliament.com/latest-news/article/newsarticle/eu-urged-to...