Social Watch news

A delegation of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) visited Brussels between the 4th and the 8th of November 2013, where it met with officials at the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly and the European civil society. The delegation focused on five key issues during the meetings, as well as hearings at the European Parliament and deliberations at the forum it organized during the visit with the participation of European CSOs and representatives of the European Commission and the European In-vestment Bank (EIB). These issues are the Euro-Arab political relations, especially regarding the challenges of democratic transition, faced by some of the region’s states and peoples, particularly Egypt and Syria. Euro-Arab economic relations, with a focus on trade relations and ongoing negotiations with Morocco to reach in-depth and comprehensive free trade agreements. The European policy on foreign aid and the relationship with civil society. Issues related to security and peace in the region, and immigration and the movement of citizens between both sides of the Mediterranean.

Hanaa Edwar, secretary general of Al-Amal Association, the Iraqi member of Social Watch has been named “Arab Woman of the Year 2013” by Takreem for her distinctive hard work, courage and successes in the field of civil society and human rights for equality, women's rights, and the empowerment of women to participate effectively in society and political life.

In her speech at the award ceremony, Hanaa Edwar expressed her thanks, deep gratitude to Takreem, and stressed her sense of greater responsibility beyond the borders of her homeland. She also thanked her colleagues at Iraqi Al-Amal Association and many civil society organisations for the support and assistance she received during her work, who,together, planted the seeds of hope in the wounded Iraq.

For the past two decades Eurostep and its membership have worked towards equal opportunities and justice between North and South – hence the name. A lot has been achieved in calling for socially just and inclusive EU policies, especially in regard to developing countries. But the global and European contexts have fundamentally changed since 1990 and so have civil society organisations. Against this backdrop and in order to adapt to these changes, the current membership has made the decision to change Eurostep’s structure, membership and purpose. Eurostep is embarking on a process of transition towards being defined more clearly within Social Watch.

Speakers and attendees at the seminar said that the post-2015 Development Programme ought to include many areas neglected in the MDGs. Roberto Bissio, Social Watch, finds that the poverty threshold of $1.25 is too low and artificially reduces the the number of people who are recorded as living in poverty. It makes poverty invisible in rich countries and pays no attention to the shame and suffering it causes throughout the world.