The extent of poverty and social exclusion
in Europe is unacceptable   European Council Lisbon 2000

To all Participants in SMES Seminars  1992 to2005

                      

SMES-EUROPA organised a large Conference in Rome from 23 to 25 January 2008. Why Rome - it was here in 1992 - 15 years ago – that SMES began with the 1st European seminar.

We invited all those who participated in any of the previous nine Seminars to join us in preparing and setting up this event. We hope that its size and the quality of the contributions will produce a significant impact.

REMINDER ...

   Discrimination and stigmatisation are on the increase

   Marginalisation and poverty affect increasing numbers of
    people

   Extreme exclusion claims an increasing number of victims

The European Community, for all its rhetoric on social exclusion, has failed to address these problems effectively over the last 15 years:

*  the extent of poverty and of social exclusion in Europe is
    unacceptable! European Council Lisbon 2000

*  the stigma & discrimination, related to the mental disease,
    are long-lasting. European Council "Equal opportunity" 06

*  the true causes of poverty and exclusion are far from being
    eradicated in Europe. European Council Lisbon 2006 

AIM :

1. To look back - what has changed in the last 15 years, for better or worse?

2. To look forwards - perspectives and proposals for the future establishment of effective rights and access to health and social services

Welcome again in Rome for co-working together.

Luigi Leonori

President of  SMES