Kick-Off meeting for ECOPPAM – International
On 17 to 19 November the first conference of the EURAFRICAN Platform on Migration and Poverty (ECOPPAM-International) will take place in Cotonou, Benin. The conference will be organised by the Benin Network of NGOs for Sustainable Development (RODD) with the support of the Ministry of Planning and Development of Benin, the German Development Agency (GIZ/Benin) and other partners. It will be the occasion to formally launch ECOPPAM. The theme: of the meeting is “Strengthening social protection to combat poverty, inequality and irregular migration”. It will bring together social organisations active in the fight against poverty in Africa and Europe, alongside National Ministries, key International Organisations for example: African Union, European Union, UNDP and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The organisation of this first ECOPPAM meeting in Africa, particularly in Benin, is both symbolic and necessary and is in line with the vision of African leaders who are keen to support the continent’s flagship projects. Providing such leadership to organise the first ECOPPAM meeting is an excellent opportunity to showcase at the international level, the commitment of the host country, Benin, to social progress, to exchange experiences with social practices in other countries and to mobilise social donors for a cause and activities that offer people credible ways out of poverty in a sustainable manner.
Alias Onyadon, Coordinator of ECOPPM said, “by hosting this conference, Benin has the opportunity to share these rich experiences in human capital development (ARCH, ACCESS, SWEDD,) but above all to learn from those of other countries to further strengthen its social protection system”. He added, “After years and months of planning this initiative with social actors in Africa and Europe and in particular migrants of African origin active in social organisations on Europe, it is a great day that we arrive at a meeting to launch ECOPPAM. It will give us the boost needed to go further to develop and seek the resources necessary to develop the organisation”. He also added his thanks to the Benin Network of NGOs for Sustainable Development (RODD), the Ministry of Planning and Development of Benin, and the German Development Agency (GIZ/Benin) for their support in organising the meeting.
