Danuta Hubner in the European Parliament

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Clichy-sous-Bois, the poorest region in France, visits the European Parliament, November 30, 2010

Brussels

By invitation from Professor Danuta Hübner a small group of inhabitants of Clichy-sous-Bois presented the town-planning and housing problems affecting their region during a session of the Commission for Regional Development.

Representatives of various environments and societies from this region pointed out the largest living difficulties, which arise from
- lack of transport
- lack of ensured safety conditions;
- lack of cultural, tourist and recreational infrastructure;

Housing estates built in the 60s and 70s mainly for the African and Maghreb population resemble ghettos. There is no government policy, which takes into account comprehensive development of the youth, which, in consequence, leads to incidents of violence. The last and most dramatic episode occurred five years ago - riots between the youth and the police lasted a few days. They were provoked by the tragic death of one of the inhabitants of this housing estate, and they revealed the extent of the poverty of this region, as well as the susceptibility to outbreaks of aggression.

During the meeting with Professor Hübner, the representatives of the Clich-sous-Bois community affirmed that there has not been any improvement in the living conditions for the past five years. This concerns the quality of education as well. Each year approximately 150,000 young people discontinue their education at the age of 16, and remain on the fringes of society.

For this reason the human question/issue is the most important one to be resolved according to the representatives of this region. Construction of housing estates will not solve the problem of the lack of an appropriate center allowing a comprehensive development for the youth. Isolation from the rest of the society, lack of means for living and lack of growth perspectives are factors that stimulate the arousal of aggression and outbreaks of violence.

Among the presented claims, the idea of the creation by the European Union of another Marshall Plan for urban agglomerations came up. There were appeals for any kind of help that the European Parliament could offer. The awareness that Europe can come to their aid will give them a sense of security. Both sides will benefit in this situation – the European institutions and the inhabitants of Clichy-sous-Bois. There were also appeals for policies directed more at human affairs and less bureaucracy.

Some of the issues raised by the representatives of French communities may be taken into consideration in the report on the issue of cities, which will be the topic of discussion of the members of the Commission for Regional Development. Professor Hübner announced that commissary Johannes Hahn will be informed of the results of the meeting with the representatives of Clichy-sous-Bois. She appealed for increased activeness/activity on the local level. She assured that the issues raised during the meeting will be the topic of discussion during debates about future cohesion policy, as it is inscribed in the urban dimension/level of this policy.

MEP Krehl reminded that the European Parliament delegation was in Paris in April of this year in order to examine the situation in the Clichy-sous-Bois region. She pointed out the existing program for balanced development of cities, and suggested increased activity in looking for help not only on the European level, but primarily on the local one. She appealed to the inhabitants of the region to refrain from violence.

MEP Karima Dalli reminded of the existence of programs in which the representatives of Clichy-sous-Bois could become involved in, such as programs within the Year of Volunteering, which will be carried out in 2011, as well as programs for fighting poverty. She announced that already during the January session of the Commission for Regional Development the urban agenda of cohesion policy will be examined.

The following guests participated in the meeting:

Abdelali Meziane, deputy mayor for youth and sport in Clichy-sous-Bois,
Faycal Bouricha, President of the association l’Amicale de la résidence des Bois-du-Temple, advisor in the Clichy-sous-Bois region,
Mariam Cissé, President of the association Un coup de pouce pour l’Afrique, advisor in the Clichy-sous-Bois region,
Zoulikha Jerroudi, Animator in the CGMB social center, responsible for families,
Farid Berrais, President of the Kick-boxing association in Clichy-sous-Bois,
Samir Abbas, Teacher in Clichy-sous-Bois,
Syaka Traoré, Treasurer of the Au-delà des mots (ADM) association,
Samir Mihi, President of the Au-delà des mots (ADM) asssociation.

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