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National Conference against Poverty
Alain Berset opens the conference that closes the National Programme for the Prevention and Reduction of Poverty 2014–2018. The record: sixteen research reports, seven practical guides, 27 approaches tested. Poverty still affects 7.5% of the population, or 615,000 people, including more than 100,000 children.
His speech traces the history: poverty long regarded as a private matter, then the destitution of the First World War: in 1918, one sixth of the population depended on relief. “Without social benefits, four to five times as many people would be affected in Switzerland today.” That there are still poor people in the country is, for him, unacceptable.
The Confederation, cantons, cities and municipalities sign a joint declaration: cooperation continues until 2024, with the Confederation in a supporting role. Speakers also include Pierre-Yves Maillard for the SODK/CDAS, Hannes Germann, Franziska Teuscher and Hugo Fasel of Caritas.
Speeches on this site
- Discours à la Conférence nationale contre la pauvreté (in German, French-language page)
Sources