Dear Journalists,
I cordially invite you to a press briefing „Tax Justice and Poverty“ of the Jesuit European Social Centre. On 10 December, the „Human Rights Day“, representatives of the European Parliament and the EU Commission, researchers, tax and advocacy experts from NGOs and church backgrounds will discuss tax evasion and illegal financial flows between Africa and the EU. The workshop will be convened by the Presidents of the Jesuits in Africa and Europe and the President of the Social Affairs Commission of the Commission of the Bishops‘ Conferences of the EU. The results will then be explained at a press conference.
WHERE? Café Frangelico Raum, La Viale Europe, 205 Chaussée de Wavres, 1050, Ixelles, Brussels
WHEN? December 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
SPEAKER:
Fr. Dr. Jörg Alt SJ, Jesuit Mission Nuremberg (Germany), Project Coordinator Europe
Pascal Andebo, Project Manager, Office of Justice and Ecology, Nairobi (Kenya)
Fr. Charles B. Chilufya SJ, Director, Office of Justice and Ecology, Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar, Nairobi (Kenya), Project Coordinator Africa
MEP Markus Ferber (EPP), Member of the ECON Committee, European Parliament
MEP Evelyn Regner (S&D), Chair of the FEMM Committee, European Parliament
MEP Sven Giegold (Greens), Member of the ECON Committee, European Parliament
Contact: botond.feledy@jesc.eu, WhatsApp +36302984170 or www.taxjustice-and-poverty.org
Background
The research project „Tax Justice & Poverty“ investigated the relationship between (un)fair taxation and poverty in Germany, Kenya and Zambia. The study found in all three countries that the gap between rich and poor is widening. It also confirmed that each year Africa loses more money through tax evasion, money laundering and capital flight than it receives through official development assistance and foreign direct investment. At the workshop on 10 December in Brussels, participants will discuss how to curb illegal financial flows and improve corporate taxation. If Africa were able to curb illegal cash flows, it would no longer need development aid or risky loans in financial markets. At the same time, the African continent could offer its citizens health care, education and jobs for the younger generation, which would then no longer be forced to emigrate. It is therefore essential that criminal business is stopped and that wealthy people contribute to the common good of all in accordance with their ability to pay.
Invitation to the press briefing for download here:
https://sven-giegold.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TaxJustice_PressInvitation.pdf