- ATD Fourth World

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to start by saying how genuinely delighted I am to be able to welcome you here today to the European Economic and Social Committee for these forecasting study days where we will be discussing "Insecurity and Extreme Poverty in Europe – towards 2010." I would also like to wish you a warm welcome on behalf of our President, Mr Göke Frerichs, all the Committee advisors and my colleagues.

Having you here with us feels very natural because, as you are aware, the ATD Fourth World Movement and the Economic and Social Committee have been working together for many years already. Indeed, every two years we have the pleasure of welcoming and collaborating and participating with the Fourth World People's Universities. I should also say that the real mission of our institution is to represent organised civil society and that your involvement in this is absolutely essential. 

As such, I believe that our Committee feels a stronger and stronger vocation to host, participate and collaborate in and support this type of event, whether with the social partners or with the other members of organised civil society. I have not forgotten that our sister organisation, the French Economic and Social Council, also did an absolutely remarkable job. I am referring to the famous 1987 report by Father Wresinski entitled "Chronic Poverty and Lack of Basic Security". Consequently, there is a deeply rooted reason why we are all gathered here today. Allow me to suggest two more reasons why I feel your presence here is so significant. First, in uncertain times such as these, it makes more sense than ever to turn our attention to the future. That is my personal feeling. I don't believe we think enough about the future of our complex societies, especially at European level, nor do I believe we can ever overdo such considerations. In my view, the steps you have taken will go a considerable way towards changing this.

I am sure you are familiar with the famous phrase: "Looking to the future means already starting to change it". I wish this were entirely true. In fact, we wish it were true across the board, but it is particularly appropriate in connection with the topic we are discussing today.

It seems to me there is also another reason to applaud the initiative you have taken in coming here today:  March will herald the unfolding of a forward-looking approach to the future of Europe: the work of the Convention and the Forum, which will subsequently hand over the baton to the Intergovernmental Conference to modify the Treaty, as well as - we hope - the fast-approaching accession to the Union of the new EU Member States. All these factors will require us to look to the future in a big way.

Everyone is talking about globalisation and urging us to see the 'big picture', in a more or less ideological way,  but nobody is encouraging us much, and certainly not enough, to take a really long-term view. I think this is what you will be doing here today.

Let me just say very briefly that we have a very extensive and fascinating agenda for the next two days. This morning's plenary session will comprise three types of presentation about which I would like to say a few words. First of all, our working session will be opened by Messrs Frans Polen and Herman van Breen on behalf of the European region of the ATD Fourth World Movement. They will put forward their views on the fears of and expectations for the future of the poorest people in Europe. Next I would like to welcome Mr Geremek., who of course needs no introduction. Suffice it to say, Mr Geremek, that you have been one of the primary architects of Poland's renewal and for this we owe you our most-heartfelt gratitude. Indeed, I would like to thank you personally for having agreed, once again, to participate in the work associated with and initiated by the European Social and Economic Committee. We are very privileged to have you here with us. Mr Geremek, you are going to talk to us about secular trends in Europe with regard to the poorest groups and the future challenges that we have to face up to.

A certain amount of time will be reserved for debate and a question-and-answer session based on issues raised during these first two presentations. The programme will then continue with a joint presentation by Xavier Godinot, Director of the Research and Training Institute of ATD Fourth World and Mr Hugues de Jouvenel, Director of the Futuribles Group, on the topic: exploratory scenarios regarding the development of insecurity and extreme poverty in Europe towards 2010.

Once again I would like to say how truly delighted I am to have you all here. I think we have some very rewarding debates in prospect, so without further ado I would like to invite Mr Polen and Mr van Breen to take the floor and share their views with us.