Yesterday I spent the day at “Into 2010:  The European Year Against Poverty” which was organised by the European Anti Poverty Network London branch.  The EU have declared 2010 the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion and this event was to allow London anti-poverty charities and organisations to meet to share successes and decide what they could do throughout next year. 

Speaking at the event were Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary for the Treasury, and Jean Lambert MEP, Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London.  But highlights of the event for me,  included:

• The thoughtful introduction to the event by Kevin Jenkins, Councillor for Newham and Co-founder of Community Links, an organisation that sees the consequences of poverty on a day to day basis.  Kevin talked about poverty does not respect any class or culture – it can affect anyone at anytime.  He also talked about the ‘poverty of aspirations’, where people are willing to accept their ‘lot’ in life.  Yet, everyone has the ability and the skills within themselves to overcome this – they just need the confidence to do so. 
• Launch of the ECP film for the 4 in 10 campaign – raising awareness of long lasting impact of young Londoner’s growing up in poverty. (The film featured children and staff from Community Links’ Arc in the Park open access childcare project)
• The ‘Buzz’ session, facilitated by the Kaizen Partnership, which saw participants sharing ideas around four key topics:  Old Age Poverty, Child Poverty, Working Age Poverty, and Severe Multiple Deprivation
• The presentation of the City Parochial Foundation research – London’s Poverty Profile.  This is an independent report which has brought together a wide range of indicators related to poverty, inequality and social exclusion in London.  Some of the key finding included;

London is the most unequal region in England and income is more concentrated at the top than elsewhere.  It has the highest proportion of households in the top tenth of incomes nationally, and the highest proportion in the bottom tenth

The proportion of households in London living in temporary accommodation is tem times higher than the national average

The proportion of men who die before the age of 65 is much higher in inner London than in any other region of England

London has the highest rate of income poverty of any other region in England (after housing costs).  Inner London in particular has the highest rates for all age groups (children, working-age adults and pensioners)

• Voices from the Ground Up – Presentations from local organisations who promote social inclusion, which included the Migrants Resource Centre and their newspaper giving a voice to migrants in the capital The New Londoner, Community Links on ‘Myth Busting’, End Child Poverty London and the Leonard Cheshire Disability who are working to tackle exclusion and enable access for disabled people.

The event finished with two calls to action – firstly, for everyone at the event to continue to develop ideas and take action to help eradicate poverty.  Secondly, to tell others about the work that is happening and that will happen in 2010 – help us spread the word! 

Click here to see photos from the event >>>
Click here to see the videos from the event >>> 
Click here to find out more about how you can get involved in combatting poverty in 2010 >>>