Social justice, a priority for Caritas Luxembourg

As part of the World Day of Social Justice, which takes place every year on 20 February, Caritas Luxembourg today presented some of its proposals for greater social justice in Luxembourg.

Caritas Luxembourg welcomes the fact that the fight against poverty is an absolute priority for the current government. The introduction of a digital information platform bringing together all the social aid available at national and local level and the creation of a one-stop desk to simplify administrative procedures are two measures announced in the government programme that Caritas Luxembourg particularly welcomes.

Revenu d'Inclusion Sociale (REVIS)

Another measure announced which, according to Caritas Luxembourg, would make it possible to take a major step towards greater social justice is the adjustment of the Revenu d'inclusion sociale (REVIS). For Caritas Luxembourg, this would involve

• simplifying administrative procedures: automating access to social benefits, simplifying the language and setting up a case manager to accompany aid applicants throughout the process;
• improve the dissemination of information on sanctions and available appeal procedures;
• improve the dissemination of information on sanctions and available appeal procedures;
• clarifying the concept of "domestic community" so that living in a shared flat, with a host family or as a young adult with one's parents does not constitute a risk of losing one's right (or that of one's parents) to REVIS;
• increase the number of social workers who can help people with administrative formalities.

You can find all of Caritas Luxembourg's proposals in the position paper " Remettre l'humain au centre du dispositif du Revenu d'inclusion sociale (REVIS) " that Caritas Luxembourg has just published below.

CHILD POVERTY

Another area of concern for Caritas Luxembourg is child poverty. In Luxembourg, one child in four lives in poverty or is threatened with poverty at any time. In this context, Caritas Luxembourg announces that the next edition of Caritas Forum - the annual conference of Caritas Luxembourg on 22 and 23 May 2024 - will focus on child poverty: "Kanneraarmut: (k)een Thema?" and will see international and national experts and professionals from the children's sector debate the way forward to improve the lives of children and, above all, break this vicious circle of precariousness once and for all. For Caritas Luxembourg, every child must have the same opportunities to find his or her place in society.

Caritas Forum will take place on 22 and 23 May 2024. Information and registration via: www.caritas.lu/caritasforum

REVIEW OF 2023 ACTIVITIES AND ACTIONS

Finally, the press conference was also an opportunity for Caritas Luxembourg to report on its activities and actions in 2023, which was a very intense year in terms of political advocacy with the communal and legislative elections. Caritas Luxembourg mobilised as never before to defend the rights of the most vulnerable people in society and to ensure that the societal issues of poverty, inequality and marginalisation were not forgotten in the public debate. The year 2023 was also marked by the opening of a third home for unaccompanied children and the transformation of the Foyer Saint Antoine into a home exclusively for unaccompanied children, with round-the-clock care 7 days a week. Children remain at the centre of all Caritas Luxembourg's concerns. Internationally, development projects have continued despite numerous emergencies such as the earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Morocco and other natural disasters. Thanks to its network of partners, the generosity of its donors and the confidence of its financial backers, Caritas Luxembourg was able to help quickly. In Turkey and Syria, two countries where Caritas Luxembourg has been working for years, its aid is continuing. At the same time, Caritas Luxembourg remains strongly committed to Ukraine and Moldova.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN 2023. THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT OF CARITAS LUXEMBOURG CAN BE DOWNLOADED BELOW.

CARITAS LUXEMBOURG WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT IN ITS MISSION TO HELP.