Civil society contributes to European Commission development policy
28 April 2005
Brussels non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have issued a joint statement to feed into the new European Commission (EC) development policy. This follows a call for consultation with civil society from the new Commissioner for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid to discuss the revision of the EC Development Policy Statement. The NGOs have been co-ordinated by Stop AIDS Alliance - a Brussels-based joint initiative by Stop AIDS Now! (the Netherlands) and the Alliance.
The joint statement affirms that the EU approach to development co-operation needs to be about much more than national income and economic growth. Key points include:
- The EC’s approach to poverty reduction and economic development needs to prioritise health, education and social inclusion through rights-based programming.
- Support programmes to address HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights will reduce poverty and increase economic growth.
- A truly inclusive approach to development policy means including all people regardless of social status, age, gender, sexuality, ethnic origin, political belief, religion, ability or perceived disability (including HIV status). Key issues such as the development of human resources and citizen’s rights (including health, education and HIV/AIDS) must cross-cut the development activities of the EU if social equity is to be ensured and human development goals met.
- The EU should recognise the integral links between HIV/AIDS and poverty reduction, regarding HIV/AIDS as a cross-cutting issue. This means recognising that it concerns all aspects of policy-making, but also maintaining specific HIV/AIDS-focused work.
