Social Inclusion and Disability Issues
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Introduction
Empowered by the new Articles 136 and 137 in the Amsterdam Treaty, the Member States of the European Union have made a common commitment to fight against social exclusion and poverty. 60 million people in the EU today are poor or at risk of poverty - which is defined as those living below a threshold of 60 percent of median national income. The figure varies considerably across Member States, from 8 percent in Denmark to 23 percent in Portugal and 22 percent in Greece, Ireland and the UK. Children and young people, the elderly, the unemployed and lone parent families have a particularly high risk of poverty. The EU has set a target of eradicating poverty in Member States by 2010.
The Member States and the European Commission have identified a series of severe risk factors that increase the likelihood of being trapped in poverty, these being: long-term unemployment; living long-term on low-income, low quality employment; poor qualifications and leaving school early; growing up in a family vulnerable to social exclusion; disability; poor health; drug abuse and alcoholism; living in an area of multiple disadvantage; homelessness and precarious housing; immigration, ethnic background and risk of racial discrimination.
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News
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"Decent work for persons with disabilities": theme for the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December 2007
16-05-2007 The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982. This year the theme is âDecent work for persons with disabilitiesâ.View Details -
Internet for All: EU Ministers Declaration on Inclusive and Barrier-free Information Society
Riga 11-06-2006Ministers of 34 European countries have endorsed a pan-European drive to use information and communication technologies to help people to overcome economic, social, educational, territorial or disability-related disadvantages in Riga (Latvia) today.View Details -
'SDnet' Welcomes Old and New Readers
Athens 01-06-2006Operating under the same name, "SocialDialogueNet" (or SDnet for short) is now re-launched with a new look, new functions and greater depth of information and services. The focus, however, remains the same: to provide the most relevant and up-to date information and background documentation on disability and employment issues in Europe. View Details
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2007 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All' Gets Green Light
Brussels 02-06-2006 The European Commission yesterday welcomed the decision by the Council and Parliament to designate 2007 as 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All'. The year will aim to make Europeans aware of their right not to be discriminated against, to promote equal opportunities in areas from work to healthcare, and to show how diversity makes the EU stronger. The year will have four themes: rights, representation, recognition and respect, with a total budget of â¬15 million for the 12 months of activities. View Details