Overseas aid pledge must be honoured
Obviously we are disappointed that the Government did not decide on 2010 as the appropriate date, as we had sought. A two-year delay by western governments will result in another 22 million people dying from the effects of extreme poverty. That said, our aim now is to ensure that the Government does increase overseas aid to 0.7% of GDP by 2012.
The Government now needs to set specific interim targets for the achievement of the new 2012 target. These will ensure that the process is transparent and will allow us to keep the Government accountable as we move towards 2012.
World Vision Ireland is gathering signatures to a petition to be presented to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on Monday, October 17, the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Signatories will be sending a very clear message to the current Government, and aspiring governments, that our commitment to giving 0.7% of our GDP by 2012 is non-negotiable.
It has been said that the campaign for the next election has already begun.
The Government would be wise to remember that every signature gathered on this petition represents a vote. We will be asking our supporters to make their feelings known when it comes to election time should the Government break this promise again.
The petition can be signed at www.worldvision.ie or by texting NOW and your name to 51500.
Helen Keogh
CEO
World Vision Ireland
Rathmines
Dublin 6
