Andris Piebalgs, the European Union’s commissioner for development, has launched a Green Paper on Europe’s development policy. In addition to stringent impact assessments, he proposes new energy partnerships with Africa.
Comments can be submitted until 17 January 2011.
During the European Development Days in Brussels in December, Piebalgs said that the impact of European programmes has to become stronger.
Furthermore, the focus has to be on programmes’ consequences in the lives of the people in developing countries.
The Green Paper is entitled “EU development policy in support of inclusive growth and sustainable development”.
ØNSKER KOMMENTARER
It contains specific proposals and invites stakeholders to file comments by 17 January, 2011. The issue is how Europe can best
– boost the efficiency of its development efforts,
– promote pro-poor growth in partner countries,
– make sustainability a driver of progress and
– implement agricultural policies to ensure long-term food security.
MERE HJÆLP, MEN STADIG FATTIGDOM
Since the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) were adopted in 2000, Europe has doubled its official development assistance (ODA).
In a speech before the European Parliament, Commissioner Piebalgs pointed out that, nonetheless, some 1.5 billion (milliarder) people continue to live in extreme poverty – half of them are in sub-Saharan Africa.
ENERGI ET NØGLEPUNKT
Europe’s former energy commissioner also said that economies cannot grow without reliable, affordable energy.
He pointed out that clean water, good schools or professional healthcare are impossible without electricity.
As Piebalgs put it, electricity is a key precondition to practically all MDGs. (Millenium Development Goals)
