Analytics, Education and Science, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 07:21

EYD-2015 makes a monthly plan for practical steps

Eugene Eteris, European Studies Faculty, RSU, Riga, 13.01.2015.Print version
European Commission’s proposal on the EYD-2015 was unanimously adopted by the European Parliament and the Council; it shows a strong commitment of the EU institutions and the member states to activate EU’s role in international development. Each month of the year will be dedicated to a special theme: in January on EU’s position in the world, in February – on education, in March – on gender issues, in April – on health, etc.

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, presented a new Eurobarometer survey to mark the beginning of the European Year for Development.  Commissioner N. Mimica is responsible for the EU actions in international development aid cooperation, the position which in the previous Commission was occupied by a Latvian Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

 

Figures show that the number of people in favour of increasing international aid has gone up significantly, and Europeans continue to feel very positively about development and cooperation. For example, 67% of respondents across Europe think that development aid should be increased – a higher percentage than in recent years, despite the economic situation. 85% believe that it is important to help people in developing countries.

 

Almost half of respondents would personally be prepared to pay more for groceries or products from those countries and nearly two thirds say that tackling poverty in developing countries should be a main priority for the EU.


Commission’s comment

In commenting the Eurobarometer’s outcomes, Commissioner N. Mimica underlined that the European Year for Development was, in part, to inform EU citizens about development cooperation by highlighting the results that the EU and the member states (being the world’s largest donors) have achieved.

 

He argued that despite economic uncertainty across the EU, the citizens continue to show great support for a strong European role in international development. He concluded that the EYD-15 “would provide Europeans with the chance to build on this and inform citizens of the challenges and events that lie ahead during this key year for development, helping us to engage in a debate with them”.

 

Source: European Commission, Press release “As European Year for Development kicks off, new figures show increased EU citizens' support for development”, Brussels, 12 January 2015; In: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-3060_en.htm?locale=en


Key Special Eurobarometer on development figures

= The number of people who are in favour of increasing aid has gone up significantly: the share of Europeans who agree with this has increased by 6 percentage points since 2013 to 67 per cent, a level that was last seen in 2010.

= About 50 per cent of Europeans, i.e. one in two, sees a role for individuals in tackling poverty in developing countries. About third of EU citizens are personally active in tackling poverty (34%), mainly through giving money to charity organisations (29%).

= Most Europeans believe that Europe itself also benefits from giving aid to others: about 70 percent say that tackling poverty in developing countries also has a positive influence on EU citizens. About 78 per cent of Europeans think that international aid is in the EU’s interest, and 74 per cent think it is positive to contribute to a more peaceful and equitable world.

= For Europeans, volunteering is the most effective way of helping to reduce poverty in developing countries (75%). But a large majority also believes that official aid from governments (66%) and donating to organisations (63%) have a real impact.


The European Year for Development, EYD-2015

European Commission’s proposal on the EYD-2015 was unanimously adopted by the European Parliament and the Council; it shows a strong commitment of the EU institutions and the member states to go on with international development aid, as well as with structural reforms and innovations.

 

However, it is the first ever European Year to focus on external relations and issues on eradicating poverty worldwide. 

 

The EYD-2015 will bring together young people, policy-makers, civil society, the private sector, academic institutions and individual stakeholders to focus on their common development aims.

 

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker launched the EYD2015 at a high-level opening ceremony in Riga on 9 January. The EYD 2015 has a packed calendar of events at EU, national, regional and local level – everyone can get involved.


Year for active EU environmental and climate policies

This year promises to be hugely significant for development, with a vast array of stakeholders involved in crucial decision-making in development, environmental and climate policies. 2015 is the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the year in which the ongoing global post-2015 debate will converge into a single framework for poverty eradication and sustainable development at September’s United Nations General Assembly. It is also the year that a new international climate agreement will be decided in Paris.   

 

The EYD-2015 will feature a wide range of creative opportunities for involvement across the EU member states, ranging from art and development projects to activities with schools and universities and large-scale sporting events.

 

Each month of the year will be dedicated to a special theme: January’s focus will be on Europe’s position in the world, February’s on education, March will cover gender issues and April will be the month of health.

 

For further information on EYD-2015:

= Event calendar of the European Year for Development 2015 in: http://europa.eu/eyd2015.

= The Special Eurobarometer can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/eb_special_439_420_en.htm#421






Search site