As part of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the European Commission is organising a participatory forum on 19-20 October 2010 in Brussels. Entitled “Building together a society for all - A circus against exclusion", the Forum aims to provide a space for mutual information, interaction and debate around initiatives to combat poverty and social exclusion undertaken by the European Commission and other stakeholders, including foundations, across the EU.

Are you active in the areas of poverty and social exclusion. Do you miss this opportunity!

If you are active in the areas of poverty and social exclusion, you cannot miss this opportunity to find out more about what is happening in these fields, meet key stakeholders and promote your activities. There are two ways to participate:

1. Share information on your activities at the EFC stand at the event

The EFC will run one of the twenty information stands that will be available in the Forum’s interactive fair with the aim of raising awareness and promoting foundations’ actions in the areas of poverty and social exclusion as well as in the context of the European Year.

EFC members and interest groups are invited to display information about their activities in these areas, including publications, CDs, posters or any other material considered relevant. They can also be present at the interactive stand during the Forum to share and discuss their initiatives with participants.  

If you are interested in displaying information about your activities or in being present at the stand, please contact EFC secretariat at eu@efc.be as soon as possible.

2. Take part in the Forum 

The Forum is open to all stakeholders, from EU, national and local policy and decision-makers and civil society to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion and public at large. Up to 400 participants are expected each day. 

It will be organised around the following elements:

• Thematic workshops and open space discussions organised by the European Commission and other stakeholders, including some foundations.

EFC members King Baudouin Foundation and Fundación Luis Vives will lead two open session discussions on child poverty (Tuesday, 19 October, 16.00-17.30) and on how to bring social inclusion to the spotlight through partnership (Wednesday 20 October, 11.15-12.45). KBF will also take part in the thematic session on environmental challenges and poverty (Wednesday 20 October, 11.15-12.45).  

• An “interactive fair” with information stands
• Circus performances and animations in order to illustrate concretely how circus and artistic professions can contribute to enhancing social inclusion.

The Forum is free of charge but registration is recommended as places  are limited. Register here https://secure.destree.be/ei/getdemo.ei?id=269&s=_3040V6EJ0  

How to get register or obtain further information?

For further details on the 2010 European Year participatory and how to get involved, read EFC Briefing or contact EFC secretariat at eu@efc.be