Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice.
'Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom'. This statement was made by Nelson Mandela in 2005. Five years later, as I begin my new duties as Commissioner for Development, I take the liberty to borrow Mandela's inspiring thought. Mandela's words perfectly reflect my own vision for my new responsibilities. At the same time, it neatly encapsulates the values which are the basis for the EU's development policy.
This will be my second term with the European Commission, and I'm determined to lead the Development and aid cooperation policies with the same energy and commitment than I did with the Energy one. I'm aware this is a major task, a serious one, whose aim is nothing less than eradicating poverty and encouraging our Member States to work together to shape a better world. One figure can say it all: Europe is the biggest world donor, counting for 60% of global aid for Development. This is something I want you, us, and all to know and to be proud of as European citizens. And this is something that must remain a reality, even and above all in times of economic crisis. If the EU is hit hard, the truth is that developing countries are suffering even more.
My key words will be ambition, efficiency, and partnership. I won't succeed alone. I'll need to work with governments, international organisations, NGOs, our third countries partners, but also with you. I count on your support to help us to make this five years be a springboard for a real change.
This is the aim of this website: to let you know what we are concretely doing as the Commission to shape a modern development policy and improve the situation on the ground. Because Development policy is above all about human stories, people's lives, and concrete realisations. But it is also to hear from you, through your comments on my blog.
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