The European Parliament calls on Member States and the European Commission to strengthen development education across Europe.

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.

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Note to the editors

• Written Declaration 007/2012 was sponsored by MEPs MEP Filip Kaczmarek (PL/EPP), Catherine Grèze (FR/Greens), Fiona Hall (UK/ ALDE), Maria Badia I Cutchet (ES/ S&D) and Michael Gahler (DE/EPP). It was formally adopted by the European Parliament on July 5th

Link to written declaration on European Parliament website: http://bit.ly/MU8YGz

To be adopted, a written declaration needs to gather the signatures of an absolute majority of MEPs. A written declaration is a text of a maximum of 200 words on a matter falling within the European Union's sphere of activities. MEPs can use written declarations to launch or relaunch a debate on a subject that comes within the EU's remit.

• What is CONCORD?

CONCORD is the European confederation of Relief and Development NGOs. Its 26 national associations and 18 international networks represent over 1,800 NGOs which are supported by millions of citizens across Europe. CONCORD leads reflection and political actions and regularly engages in dialogue with the European institutions and other civil society organizations. www.concordeurope.org

• What is DEEEP?

DEEEP is a programme initiated by the Development Awareness Raising and Education (DARE) Forum of CONCORD that aims at strengthening capacities of NGDOs to raise awareness, educate and mobilise the European public for world-wide poverty eradication and social inclusion. DEEEP is co-funded by the European Union. 
www.deeep.org

Media contact

Tobias Troll, DEEEP advocacy officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it