European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

24 June, Swansea

The Department for Work and Pensions is holding this event in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government to give an opportunity for you and the people you work with to: find out what will be happening in Wales and the UK during the Year; to share your story, experiences and ideas with others and to debate key issues on the poverty agenda with a guest panel and other members of the audience.

The outcomes of the day will then be shared with Ministers and policy makers at a Wales and UK level and used as part of other UK events to mark the year. The event will focus on four key themes:

• Severe / multiple deprivation and those who are most at risk of social exclusion

• Working age poverty / social exclusion

• Older people and poverty / social exclusion

• Child poverty

The Welsh Assembly Government is primarily looking for individuals at the grass-roots, who have been/are or work with individuals experiencing poverty and/or social exclusion.

Ideally people should be passionate about the subject and willing to engage in the event and contribute towards the discussions. The Welsh Assembly Government is keen to hear their stories and experiences, and this is also an opportunity for them to share their views and ideas with others in a similar position, as well as with policymakers and decision-makers so that their first hand experience of the impact of poverty on their lives can influence future policy development in Wales and in the UK.

If you can help to identify individuals who have/are experiencing poverty and/or social exclusion that might want to take part, the Welsh Assembly Government would like to hear from you. Please email ChildPovertyUnit@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK.