This is the time for action on inequality

Social Watch Europe identified social and political exclusion inside and outside Europe as the root cause of social unrest in its report last week (1 February).

The launch of the report “Responding to Poverty, Social Exclusion and Inequality in Europe and Beyond” came at a crucial time, when protesters in Tunisia, Egypt and neighbouring countries went to the street.

According to Mirjam van Reisen, Professor of International Social Responsibility at Tilburg University and member of the Coordinating Committee of Social Watch, the report points out the striking similarity between the current situation and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989: “the question today is, will the opportunity be seized for a new order in the Middle East that could make peace in the region possible?”

The report also calls for a complete overhaul of EU policy on Israel: “Unless Israel operates within the boundaries of international law and democratic governance all EU aid to the Israeli government should be stopped immediately and without reservation.”

Click here to read Mirjam van Reisen's article published in New Europe.

Click here to download the European Social Watch Report.