As the slump deepens, should Europe’s development aid be maintained? Or does charity begin at home?
In the face of the global economic crisis donor nations and organisations strive to reconcile their aid commitments with the increasingly heavy pressures on their own budgets. Has the time now come for a revolutionary re-think of EU development assistance?
Let's grab this opportunity to tackle corruption in the Third World Trade and Aid are important to the EU development policy and Europe's contribution to the UN's Millennium Development Goal is crucial. However, since the global economic crisis seems to be getting worse by the day, the West is naturally concerned about its own survival. I agree that the time has come for a revolutionary re-think of Aid in general. So much money is wasted by corruption for instance. Let's tackle that. Let's grab this opportunity to fight increasing corruption in the Third World. Something good might come out of the desperate state the world is in at the moment. Speaking of which, Europe should be concentrating on the environment, on R&D and on saving the planet. With limited resources we really have to get our priorities straight!
Trade and Aid are important to the EU development policy and Europe's contribution to the UN's Millennium Development Goal is crucial. However, since the global economic crisis seems to be getting worse by the day, the West is naturally concerned about its own survival. I agree that the time has come for a revolutionary re-think of Aid in general. So much money is wasted by corruption for instance. Let's tackle that. Let's grab this opportunity to fight increasing corruption in the Third World. Something good might come out of the desperate state the world is in at the moment. Speaking of which, Europe should be concentrating on the environment, on R&D and on saving the planet. With limited resources we really have to get our priorities straight!
Re:As the slump deepens, should Europe’s development aid be maintained? Or does charity begin at home? It’s vital that European governments maintain their development aide at this time. Public spending is increasing within Europe to re-stimulate the economy and maintain welfare and public services. We have made a series of international commitments to honour certain pledges for aide, and it’s crucial for Europe’s credibility. It’s also a matter of ethics; it’s also a matter of mutual interests that we maintain spending levels and allow other economies to weather some of this storm, which has after all has been caused by Europe and North America, not by any fault of developing countries.Alex Wilks, Director, European Network on Debt and Development
It’s vital that European governments maintain their development aide at this time. Public spending is increasing within Europe to re-stimulate the economy and maintain welfare and public services. We have made a series of international commitments to honour certain pledges for aide, and it’s crucial for Europe’s credibility. It’s also a matter of ethics; it’s also a matter of mutual interests that we maintain spending levels and allow other economies to weather some of this storm, which has after all has been caused by Europe and North America, not by any fault of developing countries.Alex Wilks, Director, European Network on Debt and Development
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