Make Poverty History
May. 18th, 2005 08:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
purpletigronCharles Kennedy, leader of the UK Liberal Democrat Party, on some issues relevant to the Make Poverty History campaign:
"I commend the Make Poverty History campaign and offer you my wholehearted support. ... " (for World Poverty Day, Sun 24 April 2005)
The UN Millennium Development Goals represent clear benchmarks for progress. But for too long ... Britain has been slow to match our international responsibilities with action and resources. Thirty years after the UK pledged to meet the aid target of 0.7% of national income, and after eight years of a Labour government, despite growth after the Conservative years, our contribution is still only half that figure.
The Liberal Democrats would ensure that Britain met the 0.7% target by 2011 at the latest – and reach 0.5% in less than three years. And we would work vigorously to convince our EU and G8 allies to meet the UN target.
We need not only to increase aid, but to make it more effective.
First, aid needs to be more predictable. Policy changes of donor countries, fluctuating cash-flows and unmet commitments, have undermined development programmes and hindered planning. Second, more aid should be targeted towards basic social services - primary health care and basic education. Third, we need to improve the coordination between donor countries and development organisations to reduce the duplication of assistance.
We should not forget that state aid would be totally inadequate without the work of the charities and non-governmental organisations whose independence, assistance and expertise is of incalculable value.
The level of debt that burdens developing countries has, to Gordon Brown’s credit, been placed firmly on the agenda at the G8 and at the World Bank. The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative is too narrow and too slow. If we are serious about debt relief there is no point in half measures. Cancellation of one hundred per cent of the debt for the world’s poorest countries could make a real difference.
The conditions that tie developing countries hands, particularly with respect to economic liberalisation for debt relief, can be counter productive. The World Bank and IMF should not impose inappropriate conditions before countries can qualify for debt relief. Conditions can be effective when linked to good governance but should be carefully considered on the basis of the needs of each country.
Trade should be free, but it should also be fair. We must recognise while liberal reform in the economies of developing countries is desirable, if not planned carefully, rapid change can harm development. Time limited and renewable protections for developing countries should be considered in trade agreements, such as EU Economic Partnership Agreements or GATS.
At the same time, concerted international action is required to encourage foreign direct investment. The role of the big corporations here is essential. Yes, their prime motive is of course profit – profit is not a dirty word – because that profit will bring jobs and growth in developing countries. Much of the agricultural work, the production of raw material and the manufacture of the products that ultimately benefit western consumers is carried out in developing countries. But the low prices we demand are sustained, in some cases, by exploitative working conditions. 170 million children across the world work in hazardous conditions. Profit should be pursued in tandem with social responsibility.
[I]n many countries the most immediate threat to their societies is the rampant spread of the AIDS virus. In Britain, there are 51,000 people infected with HIV. In South Africa that figure is 5.3 million, in India 5.1 million. In Botswana 37% of the adult population is infected.
This epidemic is devastating whole generations. Action on HIV/AIDS has been disgracefully slow, and resources are still inadequate. We need a fully-funded timetable for universal access to comprehensive care and treatment. And we need to prioritise the promotion of education about HIV and advice on prevention.
To Rowan Williams (archbishop of Canturbury): "On the sale of arms it is essential that British arms exports neither encourage conflict nor assist repression. So we will establish a cross-party Parliamentary Arms Export Committee to monitor arms exports and scrutinise individual licence applications. We will require arms brokers to register under a code of conduct and revoke the licences of those who break the code. On the international stage we will press for an International Arms Trade Treaty." (during General Election 2005 campaign)
"I commend the Make Poverty History campaign and offer you my wholehearted support. ... " (for World Poverty Day, Sun 24 April 2005)
The UN Millennium Development Goals represent clear benchmarks for progress. But for too long ... Britain has been slow to match our international responsibilities with action and resources. Thirty years after the UK pledged to meet the aid target of 0.7% of national income, and after eight years of a Labour government, despite growth after the Conservative years, our contribution is still only half that figure.
The Liberal Democrats would ensure that Britain met the 0.7% target by 2011 at the latest – and reach 0.5% in less than three years. And we would work vigorously to convince our EU and G8 allies to meet the UN target.
We need not only to increase aid, but to make it more effective.
First, aid needs to be more predictable. Policy changes of donor countries, fluctuating cash-flows and unmet commitments, have undermined development programmes and hindered planning. Second, more aid should be targeted towards basic social services - primary health care and basic education. Third, we need to improve the coordination between donor countries and development organisations to reduce the duplication of assistance.
We should not forget that state aid would be totally inadequate without the work of the charities and non-governmental organisations whose independence, assistance and expertise is of incalculable value.
The level of debt that burdens developing countries has, to Gordon Brown’s credit, been placed firmly on the agenda at the G8 and at the World Bank. The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative is too narrow and too slow. If we are serious about debt relief there is no point in half measures. Cancellation of one hundred per cent of the debt for the world’s poorest countries could make a real difference.
The conditions that tie developing countries hands, particularly with respect to economic liberalisation for debt relief, can be counter productive. The World Bank and IMF should not impose inappropriate conditions before countries can qualify for debt relief. Conditions can be effective when linked to good governance but should be carefully considered on the basis of the needs of each country.
Trade should be free, but it should also be fair. We must recognise while liberal reform in the economies of developing countries is desirable, if not planned carefully, rapid change can harm development. Time limited and renewable protections for developing countries should be considered in trade agreements, such as EU Economic Partnership Agreements or GATS.
At the same time, concerted international action is required to encourage foreign direct investment. The role of the big corporations here is essential. Yes, their prime motive is of course profit – profit is not a dirty word – because that profit will bring jobs and growth in developing countries. Much of the agricultural work, the production of raw material and the manufacture of the products that ultimately benefit western consumers is carried out in developing countries. But the low prices we demand are sustained, in some cases, by exploitative working conditions. 170 million children across the world work in hazardous conditions. Profit should be pursued in tandem with social responsibility.
[I]n many countries the most immediate threat to their societies is the rampant spread of the AIDS virus. In Britain, there are 51,000 people infected with HIV. In South Africa that figure is 5.3 million, in India 5.1 million. In Botswana 37% of the adult population is infected.
This epidemic is devastating whole generations. Action on HIV/AIDS has been disgracefully slow, and resources are still inadequate. We need a fully-funded timetable for universal access to comprehensive care and treatment. And we need to prioritise the promotion of education about HIV and advice on prevention.
To Rowan Williams (archbishop of Canturbury): "On the sale of arms it is essential that British arms exports neither encourage conflict nor assist repression. So we will establish a cross-party Parliamentary Arms Export Committee to monitor arms exports and scrutinise individual licence applications. We will require arms brokers to register under a code of conduct and revoke the licences of those who break the code. On the international stage we will press for an International Arms Trade Treaty." (during General Election 2005 campaign)
