Written Declaration n.7: Adopted!

Before getting into details, we would like to acknowledge that this paramount success would never have been possible without the support and involvement of DARE member forum and the EP campaign team, involved in loco, both in Brussels and Strasbourg! Thank you for all the efforts you put to make all this possible!

  After an intense 4 months campaign, the European Parliament adopts the written declaration on development education and global active citizenship. On July 5th, the European Parliament has officially adopted the written declaration on development education and active global citizenship, co-tabled by MEP Filip Kaczmarek, Catherine Grèze , Fiona Hall, Maria Badia I Cutchet and Michael Gahler.

The declaration, which promotes the strengthening of development education policies, both at national and European level represents a paramount political milestone for the development education sector. The very positive response of the European Parliament comes after a strong campaign lead by CONCORD and DEEEP, and sets the frame for new debates on the role of European citizens within development.

• Although several member states have already adopted a national strategy on development education, a high number of countries is still missing one, or has not fully implemented it yet .
• While Europeans largely support development, personal active engagement for global justice remains low: 89% of Europeans attach a high value to development cooperation, but only 4% actively engage through volunteering.
• The EU is one of the most significant funders of DEAR in Europe with €30million coming through EuropeAid, and yet, there is still no explicit strategy on development education.

MEP Kaczmarek declared that "development education plays a key role in the eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. It strengthens the support to the active engagement of citizens in local and global level to promote justice, human rights, and sustainable development."

CONCORD and DEEEP will continue working side to side with the European Institutions, and namely the European Parliament, to promote development education. The adoption of this written declaration is one more relevant step towards strengthening the awareness of European citizens with regards to development. Such process foresees among others, setting up the basis for the elaboration of a European Parliament's report on development education.

Read here the full declaration with the names of the signatories. 

For more information, contact Tobias Troll at t.troll@deeep.org

Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP