By Dr. Arjun Karki

The coalition of organisations and trade unions that have been formed as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. (GCAP)- the largest coalition of global civil society organizations ever formed– is calling for more and better aid, fairer trade rules, debt cancellation, and clear strategies to eradicate poverty and innequalities.

Every three seconds a child dies from poverty. If this would happen in Europe I believe it would be addressed immediately. We call upon all European Union (EU) leaders to take immediate action against this scourge of global poverty and in defense of human rights.

As we all know, a target date has been agreed for the eradication of poverty, but 2015 will be too late for the millions of women, men and children who live in the most appalling conditions. Poverty must be tackled now and it must be tackled in its broadest sense, including conflict, political instability, and the erosion of democracy and the rule of law in countries like my own.

People around the world hope that the EU will play a significant role in building a better, more inclusive world which honours shared values and recognises shared responsibilities. 2005 is the year that could and should see the world energized in its fight against poverty and Europe has the responsibility to lead this fight for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The European Parliament can have a key role in this. GCAP calls on all the Members of the European Parliament and on the UK Presidency of the European Union to deliver on the following demands:

More Aid: GCAP calls on European leaders to go beyond the European Council’s agreement and to reach the 0.7% target urgently. In particular, GCAP calls on the UK Presidency to ensure that the G8 countries that have yet to set binding spending plans for meeting the 0.7% target to do so as a matter of urgency.

Better Aid: GCAP calls on the EU to deliver on its commitment to spend at least 20% of ODA on basic social services and take urgent measures to ensure that debt cancellation is treated and reported separately from aid

Debt Cancellation: I must remind European leaders that, as has been highlighted by the African Union, more than 60 countries need 100% debt cancellation if they are to meet the MDGs. We also call on EU leaders to abolish policy conditions on debt cancellation.

Trade Justice: Our countries don’t want to have to depend on aid. We want to be able to generate our own wealth and determine our own development. But to do this we need fair trading rules. At the moment the system is totally in favour of the rich countries. This has to change. In addition, the EU must also ensure that it does not force developing countries to liberalise their markets. Finally, the EU must put an immediate end to export dumping –a practice that damages the livelihoods of poor communities around the world.

The current context of uncertainty, prompted by the failure of the last European Council to reach an agreement on the future EU budget and on a way forward for the Constitution has widened the gap between the Union’s institutions and its citizens.

You, as members of European Parliament, the elected representatives of the people of Europe, are presented with a unique opportunity to reconnect with fellow-Europeans by working to eliminate global poverty. We call upon you to support the Global Call to Action against Poverty not only with a signature but with definite action. It is the responsibility of all of you to ensure that the voices of European citizens and poor people in the world are heard and that the European Commission and national governments are challenged to deliver on their commitments and to go much further in eliminating the scourge of global poverty.

We particularly urge the British Foreign Secretary and the UK representatives who presently hold the Presidency of the EU to deliver on the challenges set out in the Manifesto that the British GCAP coalition, Make Poverty History, has presented. Your leadership at the G8 and beyond is imperative in getting other rich countries to set out actions that will have a significant impact on eradicating poverty and will send out a strong signal of how important the values of Europeans are to you.

The world has the means to eradicate poverty, which can and must be done. Help us to defend democracy and the rule of law by eliminating the root causes of poverty.

What is lacking is the political will. The question is – are you going to deliver for the people of the world and Make Poverty History?