Digging Deeper - delving below the surface of poverty

Part of the Europe-wide campaign to raise awareness of the key challenges posed by poverty and social exclusion. The conference, which is being run by Croosreach in partnership with Eurodiaconia and The Church of Scotland Church and Society Council, will bring expert witnesses together from different public and voluntary sector backgrounds to share thinking and practice on tackling poverty and social exclusion in Scotland and Europe over the four key areas of:

• Child poverty
• Working-age poverty and social exclusion
• Severe/multiple deprivation and those most at risk of all ages and backgrounds
• Changing communities 'Politics or People'

Opportunity will be given for policy-makers to outline progress made, barriers to further progress and discuss the possibility of finding creative solutions which will have relevance in a number of settings.

The agenda for the day will be influenced by those experiencing poverty and social exclusion in Scotland and Europe, both directly and through advocacy (as appropriate).

This conference will provide opportunities to develop stronger networks across communities and ensure that resources and efforts are targeted more efficiently by promoting joint working.

Speakers from Scotland include:

• Johann Lamont MSP
  Johann is the Scottish Labour and Co-operative member for the Scottish Parliament constituency of Glasgow Pollok. She was first elected as the MSP for Glasgow Pollok in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
  She is currently the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament.
• Martin Johnstone - Church of Scotland Priority Areas Secretary
  Martin is responsible for the development and coordination of the Church’s work within its poorest 58 parishes across the country. He also is Voluntary Chief Executive of Faith in Community Scotland – supporting local faith communities to tackle the causes and symptoms of poverty in Scotland. Martin is secretary to Scotland’s First Poverty Truth Commission.
• Chloe Clemmons - Church of Scotland Parliamentary Officer
  Chloe has been Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer since March 2009. She has previously worked in a variety of third sector organisations in development and policy roles; most recently at Citizens Advice Scotland (an association of community based advice providers). Her academic background is in Philosophy and Human Rights.
• Lewis Rose - Church Action on Poverty Chairperson
  Lewis works for Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland. He is the Chairperson of Church Action on Poverty’s Council of Management.

Price Per Delegate: £45