The Eighth Convention of the Movement against social powerlessness took place in Warsaw within the framework of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2008. The theme of the meeting was: “A Poverty Reduction Strategy in Poland”.

The meeting was inaugurated by the Polish Onbudsman Jan Kochanowski (Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich – Commissionner for Citizens Rights) who gave his patronage to the events which took place in Poland. Professor Julian Auleytner, the Chairman of the meeting, presented the National Plan against Poverty 2008-11.

Speeches were given by:

• Dr Ryszard Szarfenberg from the University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) – Strategy on Social Protection and Social Inclusion in the European Union
• Dr Miros³aw Grewiñski from Pedagogical University (Wy¿sza Szko³a Pedagogiczna)  – European Social Fund as the instrument for supporting active forms of overcoming poverty and social exclusion.
• Anna Szukie³ojæ-Bieñkuñska from the Central Statistical Office (G³ówny Urz±d Statystyczny) – Statistical data on poverty in Poland
• Zuzanna Grabusiñska from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Ministerstwo Pracy i Polityki Spo³ecznej) - Poland preparing for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion in 2010
• Dr Declan O’Donovan, Ambassador of Ireland - Social Partnership and Inclusion in Ireland

Members of ATD (All Together in Dignity) Pierre Klein i Anna Osiñska presented the course of the meeting held in Brussels.
The Saint Brother Albert’s Aid Society was represented by the members of the Executive Board: priest Stanis³aw S³owik i Pawe³ Kobylacki.

^{Pawe³ Kobylacki}