14 August 2007
ACTION NEEDED ON POVERTY, NOT PROMISES
The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has supported a recent call from new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for an international United Nations summit to pressure governments to meet their commitments for reducing poverty and promoting development as pledged when they signed up to the Millenium Development Goals
The Vatican statement indicated that the "time for simple promises has passed" and pointed out that governments repeatedly have pledged to dedicate the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of their GNP to development assistance. It went on to say"If that pledged target amount was achieved, a total of US$192 billion would be made available annually" instead of "the US$78.6 billion presently being made available."
The statement added that "A new starting point, built upon renewed political will, the mobilisation of efforts and resources and the shaping of a true, recognisable and viable global partnership for development should be welcomed and fostered by everyone"
The Vatican statement indicated that the "time for simple promises has passed" and pointed out that governments repeatedly have pledged to dedicate the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of their GNP to development assistance. It went on to say"If that pledged target amount was achieved, a total of US$192 billion would be made available annually" instead of "the US$78.6 billion presently being made available."
The statement added that "A new starting point, built upon renewed political will, the mobilisation of efforts and resources and the shaping of a true, recognisable and viable global partnership for development should be welcomed and fostered by everyone"
Comments:
Post a Comment
