EU manifesto launch 30 March
On 30 March, the international development manifesto for the European Parliament elections 2009 was launched at the Foreign Press Association in London. The panel debate was chaired by Helen O'Connell from One World Action, speakers included Gareth Thomas, Minister of State for International Development; Dermot Scott, Head of the UK Office of the European Parliament; Daleep Mukarji, Chief Executive of Christian Aid; Maria Arce, Chair of the Bond Development and Environment Working Group and Nick Roseveare, Chief Executive of Bond.
Gareth Thomas spoke about the global dimension of the current financial crisis, highlighting rising unemployment levels in the developing world. The Minister mentioned that private capital flows to developing countries were down 80 per cent over the last two years, and that the World Bank estimates that almost three million extra children may die between now and 2015 if the crisis persists. See Gareth Thomas' full speech.
Dermott Scott discussed the role of the European Parliament and its importance within the European institutional framework. He highlighted the challenges faced by the European Parliament over the next few years, including world trade round, continued debates about the European Partnership Agreements and the future of the Lisbon Treaty. Dermott Scott further stressed the role of civil society in influencing MEPs.
Nick Roseveare talked about the role of the European Parliament elections in the context of the ongoing financial crisis. He stressed that while the ongoing financial crisis was not caused by the poorest countries in the world, they are the worst affected, and that the UK together with other EU states should ensure that the systemic failures which caused this crisis are rectified.
The launch of Bond's manifesto launched Bond's European Parliament election campaign in which Bond and its members are calling on voters in the elections, as well as MEPs once elected, to consider not only national and european interests, but to consider Europe's global responsibilities towards to poorest countries in the world; to Vote Global.
