Consensus Conference on Homelessness
The aim of the European Consensus Conference on Homelessness will be to reach a consensus with regard to certain fundamental issues in relation to homelessness. On a European level, a consensus regarding the definition of homelessness and the best way to tackle it currently does not exist. This lack of consensus means that any progress in the formation a policy within the European Union is hindered. For this reason the European Parliament, the European Commission as well as the Social Protection Committee will be the questioning parties at the consensus conference.
In recent years the topic of homelessness has been receiving more and more attention in the European Union. In 2008 and 2009, there was a repeated appeal by the competent European authorities to pay more attention to the issue of homelessness. Furthermore, for the Belgian presidency homelessness is also one of the priorities within its social domain. To this end the Belgian presidency is taking the initiative, in collaboration with the European Commission and Feantsa (European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless) and supported by France, to organise a consensus conference on the topic of homelessness in 2010.
The aim during these conferences is for a jury, consisting of 10 people with European experience, to reach a consensus with regard to the different issues relating to homelessness in Europe. This will be achieved with the help of contributions from experts in this field. One of the areas contributed by the experts concerns the participation of homeless people in a study carried out by the Common Homeless Front ordered by the presidency.
The topics of the conference will be: acknowledging homelessness, long-term targets and the most important elements of a European strategy against homelessness, migration and homelessness and the role of Europe in tackling homelessness.
The ultimate goal is for the consensus to be used to reach a European strategy for tackling homelessness.
Where
Spacious conference room (theatre), greeting area (with cloakroom), bar (for lunch and coffee breaks), foyer (jury/VIP area)