Ambitious goals set for the 2015 European Year of Development, aiming to raise aid awareness, engage young people and refine polices.

European Year for Development 2015: Dignity for All

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11783001/n001-140402-001-en.srt

The EU is the world's largest donor  of overseas aid,

collectively and with  Member States individually.

51 billion euros in the next 7 years  for a range of development activities

on Europe's borders  and across the world.

The EU insists it's good value for money  and a sound investment.

But does the message get out  to citizens who may know nothing,

and in an era of domestic recession  care less?

Times are bad for a lot of citizens  but then the other side of the table

is that in the developing world  things are a lot worse,

that a little bit of money  can save people's lives.

and other aspects of cultural development  would help reduce terrorism.

I am not always sure that the money  we give is used well in some countries,

MEPs are launching  a big campaign in 2015

to raise awareness and stimulate interest.

We have a lesson to share  as a European:

the model  of unquestionable human dignity.

Alongside this will be an increased  commitment to development cooperation.

The campaign which will cost  15 million euros

is also about showing citizens  that Europe doesn't throw its money away.

Countries need to earn the aid they get.

If a country no longer meets fundamental  values, we may suspend cooperation.

When a country goes too far,  this is the case for Zimbabwe,

which flouted all values  we implemented an exemption scheme.

want policy changes  not just awareness raising.

All forty-year old policies haven't worked.

We've given, given and given,  and poverty is still there.

At some point you have to say:  'Hey! This is not working'.

'What are the new things we have to do  to eliminate poverty and create wealth?'

Here we are, one new initiative,  property rights, business registrations

giving value to people's homes  so that they can buy and sell them.

One key element woven into many  development programmes these days

is climate change mitigation and adaptation.

That too will form  a part of the awareness campaign.