Whether we are communicating with the public or with policy-makers, if we are doomsayers, focusing on how badly the world is doing, people won’t feel inspired to join us or to stand behind our causes. The language we use matters…
Inequalities between people and countries have reached staggering heights. The social contract is under unprecedented pressure, as witnessed by the multiplication of protests, marches and social unrest against austerity, inequalities and injustice all over the world. So what is it about the principle of “Leaving No One Behind” that our leaders have not understood? But the good news is: this can be rectified.
Romania, Finland and Croatia recently published the Trio Programme for their upcoming EU Council Presidencies. The Trio Programme sets the joint political priorities for the presidencies and does not suggest radical changes, but puts emphasis on jobs and growth meaning business as in EU politics. European NGOs would like to see human rights based policies aiming at well-being within planetary boundaries.
Today, the European Commission has released the legal framework for the external funding instruments of the future EU budget (MFF 2021-2027). CONCORD, the European Confederation of Development NGOs, raises concerns that unproven investment schemes and migration control will overshadow the EU’s commitments to promote human rights, sustainable development and the fight against poverty.
CONCORD Europe was invited to speak during the DEVE Committee meeting on 16 May, 2018 under the agenda point “Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027: what does it mean for development cooperation?“. Katerzyna Lemanska (Coordination SUD/GHA) was representing our confederation, in the presence of the DEVE committee and the European Commission. Here are the outcomes of the discussion.