Plenary focus - September

The continuous arrival of asylum-seekers and migrants in the EU and the appalling inability of member state governments to address the situation is often likened to a natural disaster or a tragedy that is striking us. This could hardly be farther from the truth. People are fleeing from poverty and wars that more often than not result from policies of the EU and its member states. Reducing the number of asylum-seekers therefore means putting an end to economic policies that impoverish the South and stopping support for dictatorships and injustice.

We strongly believe that the strengthening and modernisation of the public sector can be an important driving force behind the promotion of the Blue Economy. A proper development requires the dignity of the professions associated with it and the creation of quality employment with rights and qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity. The investment in the Blue Economy should focus, among others, on ‘eco-innovation’ and on small-scale investments in SMEs, which require additional assistance in accessing funding."

It’s time to transform power relations between women and men, and we have to start in schools. Girls’ rights to education are the cornerstone of a sustainable, gender equal and inclusive society. This report accentuates the devastating impacts of austerity policies in schools, the need to invest in free public education for all, integrating comprehensive sexuality education in the curriculas, combating sexism, gender stereotypes and homophobia