Azerbaijan: A model of peaceful co-existence of Islam and minority religions 2013. 11. 13. Yesterday was dedicated to Azerbaijan in the European Parliament as two programmes have been organised in connection with the country. In the afternoon, Vice-President László Surján hosted a conference whereby the Human Rights Without Frontiers international organisation launched its report on Non-Muslim Minorities in Azerbaijan. While in the evening, Latvian EPP Group MEP Inese Vaidere opened an exhibition on religious tolerance in Azerbaijan. Both events were attended by Elshad Iskandarov, Minister of Religious Affairs in Azerbaijan. The main message of these events was that this country which is massively populated by Muslims shows a good model of secularism and the culture of tolerance gives us a role model on how to accommodate minority denominations in a majority Islamic country.
Joseph Daul az Európai Néppárt új elnöke 2013. 11. 13. A francia Joseph Dault, a párt európai parlamenti (EP-) frakciójának vezetőjét választották meg kedden a múlt hónapban meghalt Wilfried Martens utódául az Európai Néppárt élére.
One million European children looking for home 2013. 11. 06. MEP Ádám Kósa (Fidesz) hosted a conference today in the European Parliament on the tragedies and depressing human rights issues of children living in overcrowded institutions. The conference took place just two weeks before the new Structural Fund Regulations will be tabled in the European Parliament, whose proposals – among others – aim to replace these obsolete institutions by community based services. As was revealed on the debate, only a minor part of children living in such facilities are actually orphans.
Roma Dignity centre opened in Brussels 2013. 11. 05. Research organization Yahad in Unum opened its 'Roma Dignity Centre' yesterday in Brussels with the cooperation of EPP Group MEP Lívia Járóka (Fidesz). In her speech at the opening ceremony Járóka highlighted the necessity of remembrance and drawing the lessons of history and commended the organization's work in researching and publicizing the atrocities against Roma.
Report of MEP Lívia Járóka adopted with and overwhelming majority 2013. 10. 16. “The EU Framework of National Roma Inclusion Strategies fails to place proper emphasis on the situation of Roma women, Europe's most vulnerable group, despite the pivotal role they might play in strengthening their marginalized communities and in fostering progress” – pointed out MEP Lívia Járóka (Fidesz) following the adoption of her report on the situation of Roma women by overwhelming majority in the European Parliament's Committee on Gender Equality and Women's Rights.
Roma people are more exposed to trafficking and exploitation 2013. 10. 16. EPP Group MEP Lívia Járóka held a discussion with Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs on the rapidly expanding problem of human trafficking and exploitation, and the increased vulnerability of Roma communities.
National strategies must better involve, target and protect Roma 2013. 10. 09. The European Parliament held a debate in Strasbourg on the situation of Roma. EPP Group MEP Lívia Járóka reminded that only a fraction of Roma inclusion assets had reached their target group and that the Western European countries have also failed to solve the social problems aroused by immigration. She therefore urged the implementation of the EU Framework Strategy, as an action plan embraced through the entire continent and across the political divide.
Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union. Balance between EU and Member States shall be ensured 2013. 10. 02. The European Commission adopted a Communication today on strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). “The EPP Group welcomes the Commission's initiative on deepening the EMU in the social dimension, to better monitor employment and social developments. However, it should be noted that the general social agenda remains at the level of the EU28, and it should not be moved to the narrower context of the EMU. We have to fully respect national competences”, said Csaba Őry MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
Difficult children? No! Children with specific learning difficulties! – Commission takes action 2013. 10. 02. EPP Group MEP Ádám Kósa hosted a conference on dyslexia today in the European Parliament together with the European Dyslexia Association (EDA). The conference covered several aspects of the problems that pupils and students in Europe encounter when they have Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or co-ordination disorder, attention deficit, hyperactivity, dyscalculia, autistic spectrum disorder, specific language impairment or behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. In Europe about 45 million children suffer from at least one of the above learning difficulties which often remain unidentified and thus unsupported. The Commission will launch a new platform aiming at improving literacy.