“This is an absolutely essential policy, a unified European voice on this matter. I would say we need a framework that signals common objectives and can accommodate different approaches depending on the specificities of each territory,” stated Portuguese MEP João Oliveira at the People’s Summit in Porto, organized by the Anti-Poverty Network Portugal and Europe.
João Oliveira emphasized that “the focus should not be on creating one-size-fits-all solutions, as it’s very difficult to ensure the effectiveness of such solutions,” and pointed to the necessity of “aiming for common goals in eradicating poverty and guaranteeing a focus on poverty issues through the realization of social, economic, and cultural rights.”
“It’s a necessary contribution to addressing this multifaceted reality of poverty in an integrated manner, without segmenting or compartmentalizing aspects that need to be tackled holistically,” he added.
The Portuguese MEP highlighted that “there are various levels of responsibility, including the European Union, member states, national governments, and also regional authorities.”
“I do not want to be accused of excessive optimism, but I would say that we have a common starting point to find an approach that can truly be shared widely in addressing poverty issues,” he announced.
João Oliveira mentioned a “significant contribution from various international organizations, notably the UN,” praising “the work done by the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty issues.”
“This is very important work and an excellent starting point for adopting a strategy to combat poverty at the European Union level. Naturally, this will need expression in national strategies and action plans tailored to the specificities of each country and territory,” he stated.
Cautiously optimistic, he suggested that there is already an approach that could help “identify solutions to a problem that affects millions of people’s lives so significantly and dramatically.”
“It would be regrettable if we could not find a way to tackle this problem at its root,” he remarked.
“I am now assuming the responsibility as the European Parliament rapporteur for the poverty combat strategy. We are beginning work, already making some contacts at the national level and within the European Parliament,” he revealed.
João Oliveira also noted “a series of scheduled meetings, including with the United Nations special rapporteur on this issue and with several organizations and entities involved in these matters.”
“This initiative, taking place here today, is crucial as it engages not only political leaders but also organizations, entities working in the poverty area, and individuals experiencing poverty,” he emphasized.
The primary concern for the MEP from the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) is “recognizing that around 95 million people, including 20 million children, in the European Union are living in poverty.”
“When examining the poverty phenomenon, we find groups such as women, immigrants, people with disabilities, the elderly, and children in greater vulnerability or poverty exposure. There’s a clear identification,” he pointed out.
These situations are “priorities,” but they “cannot be treated as isolated cases, and poverty responses shouldn’t be considered in a merely sectoral manner, thinking that housing policies, energy policies, or environmental policies will solve the problem alone.”
“There are diverse, varied issues hidden under the umbrella of poverty that need to be addressed at their root, often linked to our economic model and the unequal distribution of wealth,” he added.
He further argued that “the priority given to issues like the arms race and militarism demonstrates a political will that can quickly form for many causes.”
“Admitting a political will to pursue arms and militarism, yet lacking political will to fight poverty, would be a terrible message to the citizens of the European Union,” he continued.
