The decision to establish the 2010 year as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion creates a unique opportunity for Portugal to undertake the eradication of poverty and social exclusion situations in which many thousands of families still live, as a collective imperative.
We are aware …
- of the remarkable course that this country has been doing, which is reflected, for example, in the reduction of poverty risk levels.
- of how, in these last years, the development of reinforcement policies concerning national solidarity for the poorest has been emphasized.
- that, nowadays, the dimension of the recognition of people’s right to decent living conditions is an essential pillar of public policies.
- that the national consciousness is awaken for the indignity of poverty and exclusion persistence in Portugal.
Therefore, the year 2010 must assert itself as the turning point in the Portuguese society.
Therefore, the watchword must be - to mobilize.
To mobilize …
… resources for the strengthening of people’s right not to be poor.
… willingness so that this fight may be everybody’s fight.
Therefore, we want a year 2010 in which the effective strengthening of poverty levels reduction in Portugal corresponds to the principles assertion.
We must be able to …
- ensure that our children grow up and develop in family environments free of hardship and exclusion
- guarantee decent living conditions for our elderly
- provide access to quality social services to all citizens and their families, especially to the most vulnerable ones
- demonstrate that poverty and exclusion are not compatible with a free and democratic country
- assert ourselves collectively as solidary people
We rely on everybody to take part in this great mobilization because …POVERTY IS TO REMAIN INDIFFERENT!
Edmundo Martinho
The National Coordinator
