Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-10-28-Speech-4-018"
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"en.20041028.2.4-018"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, following the EU’s enlargement there was a significant rise in the number of people living in poverty. Statistics show that of the EU’s 450 million inhabitants, over 65 million suffer from poverty or even live in destitution that is an affront to their human dignity. In the countries that recently joined the European Union, the problem has been particularly exacerbated by a drop in production, an increase in the level of unemployment and the economic expansion of rich countries. This is especially true of my homeland, Poland.
In my opinion, enlargement of the EU cannot be said to be a success if it is occurring at the cost of great suffering, distress and injustice, along with a widening of the gap between the rich and the poor. When poverty turns into destitution, it becomes a threat to peace. As the Holy Father John Paul II reminds us, ‘if you want peace, reach out to the poor’. Poor countries are not only up against the problem of debt. They have to face many other disturbing problems including lack of access to education and health care, mental disorders, depression, suicide, addiction, various diseases, the forced prostitution of women and children and even human trafficking. They also have to deal with the problem of migration and the threat it poses to the stability of the family, or in other words to that of the whole of society. Stressful working conditions and the exploitation of workers mean that the future appears ever more uncertain.
The impact of poverty is felt most by those who live in rural areas, by the unemployed, disabled people and invalids, the majority of whom are children and women. These latter should be afforded special protection, as they are responsible for raising the next generation. It is women, weighed down not only by housework but also by paid employment, who shoulder the enormous burden imposed by the effects of the transformation process, and this holds true for my country as well. Ever-increasing numbers of people in Poland are affected by poverty. On a global scale, women carry out two thirds of all work, but are said to receive less than 5% of global income, and own less than 1% of global property. Thought should therefore be given to whether the illusory and superficial increase in the percentage of women in governing bodies can compensate for these injustices. It is important to consider whether the Community’s key watchwords of democracy, equal rights and equal opportunities should not be replaced by respect for moral principles and changes to economic mechanisms to guarantee a more equal division of property. Concrete measures to provide active help and care for those who need it are probably called for. Dealing with the issue in a mature way means adopting an in-depth approach. If this is not understood, the material poverty of millions will be as nothing in comparison to the spiritual destitution of the powerful and wealthy of this world."@en1
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