Development Day in the National Council of Slovakia

The Slovak NGDO Platform has appealed to the Members of the National Council of Slovakia to not forget and turn back on the developing countries during the economic crisis. The importance to provide development assistance was presented through the means of an exhibition – photographs from Sudan and original paintings of the young artist Adam Masava Onyango from Kenya who was invited to address the audience. The exhibition included the presentation of some development projects of Slovak NGDOs, printed materials and fair trade products directly at the premises of the National Council.

The exhibition was held on 22nd October 2009 on the occasion of the International Day against Poverty (17th October), and its aim was to alert the Members of Slovak Parliament to the poverty in the world especially when dealing with the state budget. "Assistance to the countries and people who do not have the resources and means to help themselves, is more important than ever in times of crisis. I consider it as a scandal that today - in the 21st century - people are dying of hunger", said the Chairman of the Slovak NGDO Platform Marian Čaučík in his speech.

The Platform has already previously warned that Slovakia will not fulfil its international commitments on increasing the volume of aid to the developing countries. The volume of funds for development assistance in the draft of the state budget is even decreased in comparison with the last year.

Find further photos from the event at: http://www.mvro.sk/sk/fotogaleria/category/7-rozvojovy-den-v-nr-sr

Photo: Slovak NGDO Platform

Information provided by Lenka Nemcova, Slovak NGDO Platform "Platforma MVRO"