The ECR Global Poverty Summit on poverty is the definitive forum for local non-state organisations challenging the notion that only top-down state solutions can alleviate global poverty. This event will bring together speakers from across Europe and the world to London on 26th January. The European Union, as well as governments around the world, have poured billions of dollars into foreign aid, an
d yet we still face a serious problem. According to the United Nations, 767 million people still live below the international poverty line of $1.90 a day and in Europe, the reduction of the number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion, is one of the key targets of the Europe 2020 strategy. In 2015, it was estimated that 17.3% of the EU population were at risk of poverty (source: European Parliament) and in the UK 7.3% of the UK population are classified as experiencing persistent poverty (source: ONS). The ECR Global Poverty Summit will bring together some of the world's most prominent figures in the area, inviting thought leaders from business, government, academia and the not-for-profit sector to address the conference. To come up with a report that - once published - will provide clearly defined action steps for community organisations, philanthropists and others that wish to tackle poverty and exclusion in their local communities in order to reduce poverty in Europe and around the world. Keynote speeches, case studies, and moderated discussions will provide participants with key insights into the latest thinking, as well as challenge ideas that need updating and suggest new ways to tackle poverty in the 21st century. The agenda will cover the key elements needed to understand and produce recommendations including:
- Poverty: The reality and hidden causes;
- Policy-based poverty solutions, and
- How non-state actors and local communities can tackle poverty.
