Today, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, presented a new Eurobarometer survey to mark the beginning of the European Year for Development. Figures show that the number of people who are in favour of increasing aid has gone up significantly, and Europeans continue to feel very positively about development and cooperation. 67% of respondents across Europe think that development aid should be increased – a higher percentage than in recent years, despite the economic situation. 85% believe that it is important to help people in developing countries.
Almost half of respondents would personally be prepared to pay more for groceries or products from those countries, and nearly two thirds say that tackling poverty in developing countries should be a main priority for the EU.
Commissioner Mimica commented: “The aim of the
European Year for Development is to inform EU citizens about development
cooperation by highlighting the results that the EU , acting together with
Member States, has achieved as the world’s largest donor.
'I feel very encouraged to see that despite economic
uncertainty across the EU, our citizens continue to show great support for
a strong European role in development. The European Year will give us the chance
to build on this and inform citizens of the challenges and events that lie
ahead during this key year for development, helping us to engage in a
debate with them.”
Some key results of the Special Eurobarometer on
development:
The number of people who are in favour of
increasing aid has gone up significantly: At 67% the share of
Europeans who agree with this has increased by 6 percentage points since 2013,
anda level this high was last seen in 2010.
One in two Europeans sees a role for individuals in
tackling poverty in developing countries (50%). A third of EU citizens
are personally active in tackling poverty (34%), mainly through giving money to
charity organisations (29%).
Most Europeans believe that Europe itself also benefits
from giving aid to others: 69% say that tackling poverty in developing
countries also has a positive influence on EU citizens. Around three quarters
think that it is in the EU’s interest (78%) and contributes to a more peaceful
and equitable world (74%).
For Europeans, volunteering is the most
effective way of helping to reduce poverty in developing
countries (75%). But a large majority also believe that official aid
from governments (66%) and donating to organisations (63%) have an impact.
The European Year for Development (EYD 2015)
The EYD2015 was proposed by the European Commission and
unanimously adopted by the European Parliament and Council. It is an
opportunity to showcase the strong commitment of the EU and its Member States
to eradicating poverty worldwide. It is the first ever European Year to focus
on external relations.
This year promises to be hugely significant for development,
with a vast array of stakeholders involved in crucial decision-making in
development, environmental and climate policies. 2015 is the target date for
achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the year in which the ongoing
global post-2015 debate will converge into a single framework for poverty
eradication and sustainable development at September’s United Nations General
Assembly. 2015 is also the year that a new international climate agreement will
be decided, in Paris.
The EYD2015 will bring together young people, policy-makers,
civil society, the private sector, academic institutions and individual
stakeholders to focus on their common development aims.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker launched the
EYD2015 at a high-level opening ceremony in Riga on 9 January. The EYD 2015 has
a packed calendar of events at EU, national, regional and local level –
everyone can get involved.
The EYD2015 will feature a wide range of creative
opportunities for involvement across the Member States, ranging from art and
development projects to activities with schools and universities and
large-scale sporting events. Each month of the year will be dedicated to a
special theme: January’s focus will be on Europe’s position in the world,
February’s on education, March will cover gender issues and April will be the
month of health.
