Since one of the organisations speaking at the conference is the CPAG which John has, I believe, been closely associated with for many years, I would suggest he contacts them for more information. Meantime, as another OAP (even poorer than him, I guarantee), I'm quite happy to chip in to a collection for John to attend -- providing he goes along in a listening mode rather than a lecturing one.
Paul Ashton
http://www.eastb.freeserve.co.uk/Paul-Ashton
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Veit-Wilson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, 4 April, 2013 1:32:44 PM
Subject: FW: Tackling the Causes of Child Poverty — national policy conference, 26th June 2013
Many list members [and apols for duplications] may have been 'personally' sent this email invitation. The subject is very important. Can anyone tell me who is behind it and who will speak at it?
At face value it looks like camouflaged government propaganda and marketing sales pitch to the NGO sector, as it says it aims to << to understand the government's aims and ambitions in developing a multi-dimensional child poverty measure; explore the key factors that affect child poverty and children's life chances; and examine how we can further strengthen work to tackle the root causes of childhood deprivation. >> Apart from the reference to the effects of welfare reforms, the language suggests little to illustrate the statement on the PC website that << We provide impartial knowledge, understanding and expertise; forums to share thoughts and experience between policy-makers, practitioners and stakeholders; as well as practical campaigns and communication support. All of our work is research based, ensuring we understand the policy-making environment, and bring together the views of all those with an interest and influence. >>
Both impartiality and research base would suggest a more balanced conference programme, one which does not seem to take the government's devoid-of-social-science approach to these contentious social problems as serious contributions to child poverty analysis or measurement I may of course be missing the implicit scientific detachment and irony in the use of the government's phraseology, which is why I'd like to know more about the background and speakers, in case I am misjudging it.
In any case, as a pensioner I can't afford the charges for this conferences aimed at organisations so shan't be there. But if anyone plans to be, it would help the rest of us to understand what is going on if they were to report to these lists if not others as well. The evidence is that this government's deliberate policies are increasing poverty and harming children's lives, which is why this lack of clarity in what looks like an invitation to accept and collude with such seriously discriminatory and oppressive policies concerns me. I hope someone can assure me that I'm wrong about the conference and its organisers -- in which case my apologies to them for being confused and missing the point. The subject most definitely needs discussion.
John Veit-Wilson.
------------------------------------------------------------
From Professor John Veit-Wilson
Newcastle University GPS -- Sociology
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, England.
Telephone: +44[0]191-222 7498
email [log in to unmask]
www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/j.veit-wilson /
From: Policy Communications [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Policy Communications
Sent: 04 April 2013 10:35
To: John Veit-Wilson
Subject: Tackling the Causes of Child Poverty — national policy conference, 26th June 2013
Tackling the Causes of Child Poverty - Conference, Wednesday 26th June 2013
Tackling the Causes of Child Poverty
a national policy conference — 26th June 2013 , London
This one-day policy conference will explore the coalition government's proposals to create a broader 'multi-dimensional measure' of child poverty — considering the causes, indicators and consequences of childhood deprivation, and how we can most effectively target the factors that influence children's life chances.
The coalition government's 'multi-dimensional' child poverty measure seeks to draw together a more complete picture of what it means to grow up in poverty — assessing a wide range of factors, from skills, worklessness and debt, to housing, health, and family stability.
It hopes that this broader insight will provide a better understanding of the routes in to, and out of, poverty, ensuring that we can better target the root causes of child poverty and consider the impact of policy developments across government.
This timely event will consider what the coalition government's new approach to measuring child poverty might mean in practice; how we can ensure that a multi-dimensional measure is as meaningful, thorough and robust as possible; and how we can use the insight it will provide to more effectively target and tackle the root causes of childhood deprivation.
It will examine:
* The thinking behind the proposed multi-dimensional child poverty measure, its aims and objectives, and aspects that may need further consideration.
* What it means to grow up poor in Britain, and how different social and economic factors affect life chances.
* How we can most effectively target the causes of child poverty.
* The implications of the new measure for current child poverty strategies.
* The impact of welfare reforms on children.
* How we can use the insights from a multi-dimensional measure to target services and support for different groups of children in poverty.
* The technicalities of creating a multi-dimensional measure and gathering data.
* Public perceptions of child poverty, and what we can do to maintain public confidence in any new measure.
* How other countries are tackling child poverty and its root causes.
* How we can strengthen the evidence base for early intervention.
Save £50 — Early bird discounts apply until Thursday 25th April, allowing charities to attend for just £140+VAT / public sector delegates for just £190+VAT .
Register your place today to understand the government's aims and ambitions in developing a multi-dimensional child poverty measure; explore the key factors that affect child poverty and children's life chances; and examine how we can further strengthen work to tackle the root causes of childhood deprivation.
Register your place online and download a full agenda
at www.policycommunications.co.uk/childpoverty
or telephone 020 3151 2360 cursor
Policy Communications A Policy Communications Conference
020 3151 2360 • [log in to unmask]
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