Petition: Adequate Income for all

International human rights instruments commit Governments to respect human dignity. The 2008 EU Commission Recommendation on Active Inclusion recognises “the individual’s basic right to resources and social assistance sufficient to lead a life that is compatible with human dignity”.
On this background the European Anti Poverty Network has launched a campaign for adequate income across Europe. (more…)

Between paternalism and indifference

Niels Rosendahl Jensen, Copenhagen (Denmark)

The approach of this article may be resumed in a statement: I have learned to be afraid of people who want to be good to other humans, and especially of people who know how other humans get happy. (more…)

Equitable growing up in Europe: myth or reality? Great Britain

Ruth Lister, Loughborough (UK)

A few years ago researchers described the UK as ‘contender for the title of worst place in Europe to be a child’ and by extension young person (Micklewright and Stewart, 2000: 23). Last year, in the UNICEF assessment of the well-being of children and adolescents, the UK was ranked worst overall and, with the US, was in the bottom third of the rankings for 5 of the 6 dimensions reviewed (UNICEF, 2007). (more…)

Debate on the Social Policy Agenda as a Debate on the Future of Europe

Peter Herrmann, Cork (Ireland)

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.
Dante Alighieri (more…)