21/06/2006: Speech by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou MEP at a conference organised by Caritas Europe on the occasion of the publication of a report on migration and poverty.
Greek MEP, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, participated at a conference on Monday 19 June organised in Brussels by Caritas Europe on the occasion of the publication of its 3rd report on poverty in Europe entitled "Migration: a journey into poverty."
The conference, which gathered together Caritas representatives from various European countries, journalists, the European Commission and the Council of Europe, addressed the different economic and social problems faced by immigrants in Europe and debated on Caritas' proposals towards the improvement of their situation. These proposals include: the opening of channels for legal labour immigration, the implementation of policies for social inclusion of immigrants and the fight against discrimination, the strengthening of education policies as a tool for poverty reduction, the participation of immigrants in public life and the sensitisation of the public to the advantages of an open immigration policy.
In her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos recalled that immigrants' unemployment rates are much higher than those of the nationals and indicated that women are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion and poverty because of the double discrimination - gender and ethnic origin - which they face. In addition, she underlined that in general, third country nationals have reduced possibilities for professional development and mobility since most of the time they are involved in dangerous professional activities with scarce possibilities for lifelong learning.
The MEP also recalled the various initiatives which have been taken at EU level in the field of social exclusion and the fight against poverty, including the commitments formulated at the Nice European Council, as well as the measures which have been adopted in favour of migrant workers. Within this framework, she mentioned the Commission's Communication of 2003 on immigration, integration and employment, the Green Book of 2005 on the management of economic migration and the new European fund for the integration of third country nationals. Among the measures proposed to improve the situation of immigrants, one can find the improvement of competences including language skills, access to housing and social services, active participation in social, cultural and political life, strengthening of the capacity of national organisms to respond to migrants' needs. Finally, the MEP recalled the importance of the Progress Programme and the European Social Fund for the economic, cultural and social integration of immigrants.
On closing her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos underlined that the successful integration of immigrants, which is a necessary condition for the social cohesion and economic efficiency of Member States, depended on the mobilisation and coordination of a wide range of policies, which would take into account immigrants' needs, and a multitude of actors at different levels.
Greek MEP, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, participated at a conference on Monday 19 June organised in Brussels by Caritas Europe on the occasion of the publication of its 3rd report on poverty in Europe entitled "Migration: a journey into poverty."
The conference, which gathered together Caritas representatives from various European countries, journalists, the European Commission and the Council of Europe, addressed the different economic and social problems faced by immigrants in Europe and debated on Caritas' proposals towards the improvement of their situation. These proposals include: the opening of channels for legal labour immigration, the implementation of policies for social inclusion of immigrants and the fight against discrimination, the strengthening of education policies as a tool for poverty reduction, the participation of immigrants in public life and the sensitisation of the public to the advantages of an open immigration policy.
In her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos recalled that immigrants' unemployment rates are much higher than those of the nationals and indicated that women are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion and poverty because of the double discrimination - gender and ethnic origin - which they face. In addition, she underlined that in general, third country nationals have reduced possibilities for professional development and mobility since most of the time they are involved in dangerous professional activities with scarce possibilities for lifelong learning.
The MEP also recalled the various initiatives which have been taken at EU level in the field of social exclusion and the fight against poverty, including the commitments formulated at the Nice European Council, as well as the measures which have been adopted in favour of migrant workers. Within this framework, she mentioned the Commission's Communication of 2003 on immigration, integration and employment, the Green Book of 2005 on the management of economic migration and the new European fund for the integration of third country nationals. Among the measures proposed to improve the situation of immigrants, one can find the improvement of competences including language skills, access to housing and social services, active participation in social, cultural and political life, strengthening of the capacity of national organisms to respond to migrants' needs. Finally, the MEP recalled the importance of the Progress Programme and the European Social Fund for the economic, cultural and social integration of immigrants.
On closing her speech, Mrs Panayotopoulos underlined that the successful integration of immigrants, which is a necessary condition for the social cohesion and economic efficiency of Member States, depended on the mobilisation and coordination of a wide range of policies, which would take into account immigrants' needs, and a multitude of actors at different levels.
Posts
