Social Platform warns Giscard not to sideline poverty and employment

Date: 07/11/02

By Martin Banks

THE Convention risks alienating millions of EU citizens if it continues to ignore issues such as poverty, discrimination and unemployment, the head of an EU-wide alliance of social groups has warned.

Giampiero Alhadeff, president of the Social Platform, which represents more than 30 non-governmental organisations, accused Convention members of 'totally sidelining' social issues.

In a letter to each of the Convention's 105 members, Social Platform calls for the setting up of a working group on social issues.

It also wants the new constitution being drafted by the forum to make an explicit reference to two goals - creating full employment and eradication of poverty.

Alhadeff, whose Brussels-based organisation is a leading campaigner for women, the elderly and disabled, people affected by poverty plus children and families, said the debate in the Convention had so far focused only on technical competences and structures.

As important as these are, he says, 'it is also vitally important to include social issues.

'Unfortunately, these have been totally forgotten and sidelined from the discussions'.

The president suggests that 'for some reason, it does not politically suit members of the Convention to discuss things like social exclusion and unemployment'.

But he warns that if members continue to ignore social concerns, 'they do so at their own peril'.

The result would be that bodies such as the Social Platform would have an even harder job 'selling' whatever the Convention produces to a disenchanted public.

'The creation of a working group on social issues would send out an important signal that Convention members recognise the need to create a future for Europe which matches the aspirations of its people,' he added.

The Convention risks alienating millions of EU citizens if it continues to ignore issues such as poverty, discrimination and unemployment, the head of an EU-wide alliance of social groups has warned.

http://www.socialplatform.org/ http://www.socialplatform.org/

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