2015 is the European Year for Development. Andris Gobinš, President of the European Movement, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and “father” of the European Year for Development, explained to Radio România the importance of practical results of this initiative so far. Anca Stoica, responsible for cooperation between the United Nations Development Programme and Romania, chipped in more details about Romania’s involvement in helping developing countries.

Globally, 2015 is the turning point for reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) deadline and negotiate a post-2015 agenda. Adopted in 2000, the Millennium Declaration was a unique global agenda for development, on which there was agreement at the highest level between most countries internationally.

At the European Union level, 2015 was declared the European Year for Development. For each month of 2015, the European Commission and other EU institutions proposed a particular theme. For example, July was reserved for events with reference to the condition of children and youth worldwide, while August is dedicated to actions relating to humanitarian aid.

After the most recent Citizens’ Corner debate organized by Euranet Plus at the European Parliament, Florin Orban from Radio România interviewed Andris Gobiņš, the “father” of the European Year for Development, who explained that the European Year of Development was not “only pleasant for holding talks, but also to strive to achieve results. We support civil society, we want good results, strong commitment, not only promises, but promises fulfilled.”

The eight Millennium Development goals are the reduction of extreme poverty, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

Gobiņš was sure that the European Year for Development was making a positive contribution to making the world a better place.

“We see very complex issues, with some very concrete steps how we can make the world better,and let’s hope that jointly, decision-makers and civil society, in the richer world and the developing world, will manage to make this world a better one during this year, not only thanks to the the European Year of Development, but with the support of the European Year of Development. ”

Romania also helps close to its borders

Anca Stoica, interim head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Romania, explained that the Romanian Foreign Ministry, in partnership with the UNDP, carries out a full plan of activities under the European Year of Development, given the importance of 2015 in international development.

Romania operates a fairly extensive development assistance in other developing countries, such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya or, closer to its borders, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. There are projects in many areas, from electoral assistance, democratic governance, economic development, environment and energy.

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Anul 2015 reprezintă Anul European pentru dezvoltare. Andris Gobinš, din partea Mişcării Europene, membru al Comitetului Economic şi Social European şi totodată unul dintre principalii promotori ai Anului Internaţional al Dezvoltării, ne vorbeşte despre importanţa rezultatelor practice de până acum ale acestei inițiative. Cu mai multe detalii vine Anca Stoica, responsabilă cu cooperarea dintre Programul Naţiunilor Unite pentru Dezvoltare și România.

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Europa practică: Comisia Europeană, ajutor umanitar de 6 milioane de euro pentru Libia http://t.co/z32dOJTQty — EuranetPlusRO (@EuranetPlus_RO) August 7, 2015