Blogposts by Tag: Africa

  • Activists' views on EU in the world

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 10:29
    by Editor in Debate (1021 views and 1 comments)

    During the forum activists showed their interest in a number of round-table discussions, one of which on ‘EU in the world.’

     

    On development, Laura Sullivan said that aid must be “genuine” and “effective.” EU aid policy must take into account the positions of NGOs and trade unions. Also on the subject of development, Emmanuel Drouin expressed the urgent need for a European policy on Africa in order for development to be socially just and democratic.

    Barbara Revelli highlighted the importance of the Mediterranean in external relations and asked what contribution the EU can give to the Mediterranean Union. This, of course, is of particular relevance issue in light of French...

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    Tags: activists, Africa, China, development, forum, Mediterranean

  • EU external policy: what next?

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    Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, July 11, 2008 at 17:46
    by Editor in Debate (1165 views and 2 comments)

    The last war on Iraq showed until which extent Europeans may become divided when it comes to external policy. Core theme of the manifesto, “Europe in the World” was also one of the topics discussed in one of the sessions during the Vienna Forum!

    Jean Asselborn (LSAP, Luxembourg), key-note speaker, stressed the role played by the Balkan region to stabilize Europe. The region must be stabilized in the frame of a peaceful Europe. Moreover, the failure of the “Balkan project” will have as a consequence the failure of Europe as a peace project.

    Asselborn defended that the EU must assume a role in the Middle East. On the one hand Israel has the very right to exist, but it must stop its settlement policy and the blockade of the West Bank. The key to world peace lies in this region of the globe.

    Piero Fassino (DP, Italy), the second key-note speaker on this session, underlined that what is lacking in Europe is not transparency – the procedures are very clear – but democracy! Citizens feel that they do not participate in the construction process of the EU.

    Additionally, immigration will increase in the...

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    Tags: Africa, Balkans, EU, external policy, forum

  • Developing development

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    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, May 19, 2008 at 10:10
    by bverdeyen Join PES activists in EU in the world (936 views and 0 comments)

    The European Union today is the largest donor in development and international aid.
    A European fact we can indeed be proud of.

    But let us not rest assured...the international (aid) scene is rapidly changing, for the best and the worst.

    New players have entered the domain of international development and aid.
    China, for example, seems to have (re)discovered the African continent and are rapidly becoming a major player. Not all that strange after all, since the Chinese aid comes with much less regulations than the aid the EU or the UN offers. Yet, it comes at a much higher cost in the end.

    But the way local NGO's work is changing as well. With as much failure stories as success stories, projects have a tendency to grow more local and more small-scaled. Western aid workers slowly abandon the idea they know better and that western models can simply be implemented in a non-western context.

    Local partnerships and consultation rounds now determine the needs of local people.
    Participation and co-ownership are now key-words in these new formats being developed.
    Aid is so much more than simply drilling water holes or offering medical supplies. Aid should also come in the forms of education and information.

    As the largest donor, the European Union also has the largest responsibility. A responsibility to avoid trading aid for political sway or economic deals. Aid should be a first step to self-governance, not a hidden form...

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    Tags: Africa, development, globalization, trade

  • The future is always beginning now...

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    Rating: 3.8/5 with 5 votes

    Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 10:12
    by markus.austria Join PES activists in EU in the world (1102 views and 1 comments)

    In my post I would like to adress the following questions as proposed in the discussion paper (available at the top of this page or here):

    2. What sort of UN reform should the EU propose?
    I think that - in the longterm - the UN Security Council should be replaced by the UN General Assembly as the central decision making body within the UN umbrella. To this end, I think it will be necessary to elect UN representatives in direct elections to arrive at a sort of 'world elections' in a manifestation of the supremacy of democracy over other, more exclusive forms of government.
     
    4. How should the EU work efficiently with NATO?
    I think we should think about developing military structures on a European level outside NATO in order to indenpendently carry out missions covered by the Petersberg tasks and the UN. Also, I think the EU member states actively engaged in the NATO should press the US to restrain from engaging private contractors in conflic regions (keyword: Blackwater).
     
    8. What actions should be undertaken by the EU to achieve the UN Millennium Goals?
    I think that the sole establishment of a headline number, such as 0.7 percent of GDP spent on Development Aid, will not be sufficient to face the challenge of economic (and social!) prosperity in... read more

    Tags: activists, Africa, defence, democracy, development, multilateralism, peace, poverty, UN

    File: PES manifesto consultation.pdf

  • Europe must embrace responsible lending practices to developing nations

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    Rating: 4/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, February 8, 2008 at 10:47
    by Gail Hurley in EU in the world (1315 views and 0 comments)

    The Party of European Socialists is asking citizens what Europe should stand for in the world, and how it can promote democracy, human rights and sustainable development. Many policy-makers in developed countries are currently talking about 'responsible lending' to developing countries. This follows recent rounds of debt cancellation for the poorest countries and fears that these very same countries will quickly re-accumulate unpayable debt all over again.

    Many Western creditor countries have also been quick to point the finger at newer lenders, such as China, India, Brazil and Venezuela arguing that these countries are lending irresponsibly to the poorest nations and do not care about human rights or environmental protection in the activities they finance. What should the EU do - and stand for - in such circumstances?

    It would be easy for European lenders - both governments and private banks - to initiate a 'race to the bottom' arguing that Europe's financiers need to compete for business in the developing world and therefore cannot adhere to standards on transparency or social and environmental protection. Instead, the EU must seize the opportunity to raise the bar much higher and make the finance it offers of excellent quality. It is in this spirit that the European Network on Debt and Development... read more

    Tags: Africa, aid, development, poverty

    File: Responsible_Financing_Charter_report.pdf, Responsible_Financing_Charter.pdf

  • Brain drain – how do we go about it?

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 09:46
    by Editor in EU in the world (1145 views and 0 comments)

    The Spanish socialist party, PSOE, goes into the national elections with a much-debated proposal to tackle brain drain. Javier Moreno, member of the European Parliament for PSOE, gives the lowdown in this video:



    What do you think – should the PES manifesto include this proposal in its manifesto? read more

    Tags: Africa, development, immigration

  • Developing markets is not a treat for international companies

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    Rating: 3.5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 11:30
    by Editor in EU in the world (1273 views and 0 comments)

    ‘EPAs’ – the expression itself sounds harmless, but these trade agreements with poor countries are really a hot topic for debate!

    Right now the European Union is negotiating trade agreements with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. If the developing world and the EU have not reached an agreement before the end of the year the 77 countries risk being left with a much less advantageous deal. The deadline for the negotiations has just been extended - buying both the EU and the developing countries more precious time to think.

    If you ask the poor countries signing the current offer from the EU is not exactly a dream come true either. EPAs will open developing economies to an extent never seen before. Poor countries are concerned that increased liberalization will allow international companies to ‘prey’ on their markets. ActionAid, an international NGO, fears consequences such as job losses, cuts in public services and government revenue losses.

    The issue gets more complicated as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its members have a word to say as well. Other developing countries - those who are not among the 77 offered EPAs - are unlikely to accept such favouritism. One could also argue that the... read more

    Tags: Africa, development, fair trade