Speech: Justin Kilcullen (4 Oct)

4th October – EP & National Parliaments Meeting

Brief introduction – Justin, CONCORD and GCAP

CONCORD is the confederation representing European NGOs for relief and development at European level. Its 21 national associations and 19 international networks represent over 1600 NGOs supported by millions of European Citizens. CONCORD leads reflection and political actions and regularly engages in dialogue with the European institutions and other civil society organisations. CONCORD is part of the "Global Call to Action Against Poverty".

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) was launched at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre in January of 2005. GCAP rapidly grew into the world’s largest ever anti-poverty movement, with organisations representing around 150 million people, in over 80 countries. Last year we inspired more than 36 million people to take action – whether this was by signing a petition or taking to the streets. In 2006 we are continuing to act together. On this day when members of the EU national parliaments and the European parliament are sitting together for the first time, I would like to raise three key issues: governance in Europe and in the partner countries; Europe’s role in the world, solidarity with and our shared responsibility in fighting inequality and poverty in the world.

• European NGOs firmly believe that transparency, accountability, real ownership and respect and promotion of all human rights should guide the debate on governance both within the European Union and in relation to its policies towards developing countries. However, we are concerned about the limiting of policy space for partner countries and their citizens and the apparent pushing by the EU of new conditionalities.

The lack of meaningful consultation and participation by stakeholders in the development of the recent EC communication on governance, particularly European and Southern civil society, has led to the marginalisation of civil society in the process and thus contradicts one of the core principles of governance.

Governance problems in Europe and in the South are too important to be used to promote specific European short term economic and security interests. Any governance indicators should lead to a strengthening of institutions, parliamentary structures and civil society so that genuine accountability in Europe and in the South can be established.

• What is our vision, as civil society and parliamentarians, of Europe’s role in the world? Europe has the potential to act as a powerful and positive force for global change. Indeed the very principles of diversity and solidarity are at the heart of the EU, composed as it is of a wide variety of people speaking more than 20 languages with levels of economic, social and environmental development very different from one region to another.

The positioning of the EU as a united global actor working towards the eradication of poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals will enable Europe to give the leadership needed to diminish inequalities in today’s world, in the context of the UN and the International Financial Institutions and World Trade Organisation,..

The re-launch of the Constitution debate and the next European elections in 2009 provide timely opportunities for a broad public debate on the role of Europe in the world and more specifically its contribution to international solidarity. The European opinion poll ‘Eurobarometer” published in February 2005 revealed that citizens expected the European Union to play a central role in development cooperation. More of than half of European citizens felt that the EU was the player in the best position to help Africa. A broader understanding of development issues and support for development policies among EU citizens, and particularly amongst younger generations, will only happen if the people and its parliamentary representatives are actively included in these debates.

• Our shared responsibility as civil society and parliamentarians. 2005 was a landmark year in the fight against poverty. The EU agreed on a “European Consensus on Development”. However serious gaps remain between the stated policy and the actual practice. How we could ensure that EU governments make the changes necessary in order to ensure their actions match their rhetoric?

Today, I would therefore like to launch a “Call to action” to civil society and parliamentarians to join our forces in order to raise more awareness, increase the level of political will and hold our governments accountable in delivering on their commitments to fight poverty in the global South...Here are some ideas that I think we could achieve together in the coming year:

• Engaging citizens in parliaments by creating spaces for dialogue – organising a day of discussion and debate on development issues, ensuring participation by parliamentarians and civil society from the South. This could take place for instance on 17 Oct (International Day for the Eradication of poverty)

• Reinforcing Parliaments in the South and the role of the EU –ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly • better holding EU governments to account – reinforcing peer pressure amongst EU Member States, influencing the Finance Ministers. One idea might be to insist on better reporting to Parliaments after EU Council meetings discussing development issues.

• Ensure your support to equality, gender mainstreaming and strategies to combat exclusion by supporting the appointment of designated staff with appropriate skills and expertise at all decision-making levels.