EP Hearing on ‘The EU towards the MDGs’ and launch of the new 2015-Watch report

Photo: www.gaymitchell.ie

Alliance2015, a coalition of some of Europe’s most authoritative development NGOs urged the European Commission (EC) at a hearing in the European Parliament to show bold and responsible leadership in the preparations towards the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Alliance2015’s report 2015-Watch: The EU’s Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals. Keeping the Goals Alive, launched at the hearing, expressed concern about alarmingly low EU aid levels for food, health and education, especially to Sub-Sahara Africa.

“These figures are disheartening and require explanation,” said MEP Gay Mitchell, who hosted the hearing. Vagn Berthelsen, President of Alliance2015 urged the European Union to “agree a legally binding target ensuring that 20% of all aid is allocated to basic health and education, and to strongly advocate for an international target at the UN MDG Summit.” “The EU as the largest donor must lead by example”, added Birgit Dederichs-Bains from the German aid organisation Welthungerhilfe.

Click here to download the report, here for the Press Release from Alliance2015,  here for some Media Coverage and here for some pictures.