News

Yes today I had blank page syndrome and I am going to tell you why. For the last three days I have wanted to highlight the link between the local demonstrations in Spain (against the privatisation of health care services) and the great contributions of our members in their analysis of the rise of inequalities throughout Europe and their concrete proposals to address this issue (read our specific news on that). This week we submitted our report to member state representatives in the social protection committee. Our joint report highlights the increase in poverty and wealth inequalities, the increase of inequalities in access to housing, in access to education and.. in access to healthcare services.

I link the blank page syndrome to the fact that these blatant situations that are happening at the grassroots level and reflected through the work of our 45 European members are not seriously addressed by policy makers. These are not slight changes in our lives: these are serious and sometimes dramatic situations faced by more and more people. Moreover, the International Monetary Fund and the OECD are questioning the worthiness of austerity measures and their rising social consequences as well as their negative impact on the economy and employment. And yet it does not seem to change the way the EU institutions are thinking.

Read our report – it says a lot about the changes in our societies and the longterm consequences of the current policies. Beyond the analysis and recommendations, it’s now time to engage.

Have a nice week

Pierre Baussand

Director