The European Year for Development 2015 (EYD2015) was launched in Malta yesterday by MEUSAC. Activities will be held both at European level as well as in all European Union (EU) Member States.
As national coordinator, MEUSAC is responsible for the activities and other initiatives taking place in Malta to raise awareness about the European Union’s (EU) development assistance.
Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli spoke about this Year as an opportunity for the EU to be ‘outward-looking’ and to make European citizens aware that development aid is not an act of charity or mercy but a practical realisation of the core EU values – respect for human dignity and rights, freedom, democracy and equality.
Whilst expressing satisfaction that MEUSAC was selected by Government as the National Coordinator, Minister Helena Dalli explained how the Ministry will continue to support MEUSAC in its mission to bring the EU closer to the citizens and that the Government will continue to engage civil society in the shaping of national and European policies.
MEUSAC Head Dr. Vanni Xuereb explained what led the EU to choose the theme of development for this Year. 2015 marks the deadline for the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) – in particular the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.
Dr Vanni Xuereb also explained how the activities of the EYD2015 in Malta will be linked monthly to a specific theme indicated by the European Commission. These are intended to raise the citizens’ awareness on EU development cooperation and to foster their direct involvement, critical thinking and active interest in development. Moreover, the monthly themes are also aimed to foster a sense of joint responsibility and solidarity.
Health, women, sustainable development and development education will be amongst the monthly themes and main activities that will be organised out by MEUSAC throughout the Year.
These will be addressed through diverse activities ranging from a half day conference to focused debates, media campaigns and story-telling. Each activity will have particular target audiences such as children, businesses and young persons.
The main aim of MEUSAC, as the National Coordinator of the EYD2015, is to mainstream the topic of development in Malta, to engage Maltese citizens in these discussions and to raise awareness on global development issues.
The launch was attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Fiona Formosa together with a number of other stakeholders including Solidarjetà u Koperazzjoni (SKOP) – the National NGDO (Non-Governmental Development Organisation) Platform in Malta, the European Commission Representation in Malta, the European Parliament Office in Malta, the University Students’ Council (KSU), the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Business Bureau (MBB).