Poverty excludes populations in France and all over the world.
That is why, in view of the 2012 presidential elections, it is useful to question the various candidates on how they plan to address the issues raised by people living in severe hardship and by those who stand in solidarity with them concerning the republican principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
In the face of the current rise in intolerance and the totalitarianism
of money, hardship is becoming harsher, distrust is growing, and our democracy
is in danger.
It must be revitalized. To achieve this, it needs the input of modest and very poor communities who wish to participate but experience the daily denial of justice and human rights, the denial of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Let’s clarify that social exclusion is a global reality and we know that policies aiming to respect the EQUAL DIGNITY of each person cannot be successful on the scale of just one country and certainly not based on national preference.
Throughout history, immigrant or displaced populations largely join the areas of poverty in the countries they arrive in, experiencing the same deprivation and rejection as those already residing there.
Policies promoting access for everyone to the rights and duties of all therefore require thorough consultation between countries and peoples.
They require notably the strengthening of Europe, not only in its dream of removing physical borders but in its aspirations to abolish social borders.
They require the strengthening of the United Nations in their ambition to face global challenges, particularly the eradication of poverty.
