The Future Perspective of the Community Platform (2015)
This paper sets out some key elements of the situation in Ireland after six years of austerity policies and proposes policy directions for a future Ireland that would better reflect the values of the Community Platform. It builds on a body of policy work done in previous years by the Community Platform and is based on discussion and exchange with our member organisations.
This paper sets out some key elements of the situation in Ireland after six years of austerity policies and proposes policy directions for a future Ireland that would better reflect the values of the Community Platform. It builds on a body of policy work done in previous years by the Community Platform and is based on discussion and exchange with our member organisations.
It is published in what is a crucial year as we struggle to emerge from recession and crisis. It is essential that we not only undo the damage of policies that have deepened poverty and inequality but also set out and implement plans for an economy and society based on new values.
At United Nations level there are critical decisions to be made in relation to universal Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and the twentieth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. At a European level, the mid-term review of Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth comes at a time of growing recognition that austerity policies have failed many people and that climate change threatens the very survival of the planet. At a national level there is significant debate on alternatives to austerity as a range of centenaries are marked, an election looms, political parties develop their manifestos, and new political and civil society formations are explored.