KEEP the PROMISES to the POOR
We denounce the Danish government breaches of promises to the poor world. At COP 15, the Climate Conference in Copenhagen last December because in the approved Accord is says “that the poor countries will get up scaled, new and extra money for the necessary climate mitigation and adaptation.” Contrary to this the government takes the climate money from the existing development aid – you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
At the top of this the government promised never to cut the development aid to below 0,8% of the Danish GDI but in the “crisis packet” the aid is cut from 0,8% to 0,76% of the GDI – yet another shameful action.
This is very critical for being able to reach the 2015 Millenium Development Goals which the Danish government has signed and promised to fulfill but is goes further than this because we see the same picture all over the European Union. In 2005 the EU promised to give 0,56% of the GDI in 2010 but only gives app. 0,40% therefore the EU lacks more than 15 billion Euro compared to the very specific promises it gave some few years ago. The USA, Canada, Norway and Switzerland also have a financial crisis and a recession anyway they all fulfilled what they promised. How can we build a thrusting relationship between the rich and poor world when we give promises and then just run away from everything? It is poison for a mutual understanding, because if we unite and stand together we can eradicate poverty. In Ghana from 1991 to 2004 the number of people who suffer from undernourishment fell by 74% to 9% of the population. Nicaragua reduces its hunger rate by more than 52% in 1991 to 21% in 2005 and through a national subsidy programme, Malawi achieved a 53% food surplus in 2007, from a 43% national food deficit in 2005, so yes we can do it but it is still essential with development aid
PUGAD’s General Assembly went off smoothly & we have adopted a work plan for the rest of year.
We hope that you will participate actively in some of these activities.
June 12th 2010 at Copenhagen Culture Centre, Drejervej 11-21, 2400 Copenhagen NV, PUGAD together with 9 other organizations/associations will be celebrating the Philippine Independence Day. This is a whole day event with lots of cultural activities, entertainments; food/drinks, games for children, song renditions, folk dances, etc. First & foremost, PUGAD will give information about UN’s 2015 goals, its projects & advocacy in the developing countries. The official opening is at 12:45 & the feastivies will last until midnight. You are all encouraged to come & enjoy this eventful celebration.
As you well know, PUGAD’s basic foundation is to campaign for UN’s 2015 goals for a fairly & orderly just world. The UN adopted the goals in 2000 and should have accomplished 2/3 through the years. UN’s General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, will release a statement of affairs here in June Month . This topic will be the main agenda in the UN September-October general assembly meeting. Therefore, the Danish NGOs decided to carry out a nationwide campaign starting August until the end of October. PUGAD has gotten a grant of 25,000- for our activities on this campaign. We will print out brochures about the 2015 goals, produce T-shirts, pamphlets, hold several eventful activities/happenings, etc
Sunday August 1st at Greve Bymidte, from 10:00-15:00, PUGAD will participate in the flea market where we give information on the importance of Development Aid with special emphases on the 2015 goals.
.Saturday August 7th - Water festival, along Islands Brygge and Kalvebod Brygge from 14:00 – 22:00 with the same concept as the above mentioned and other activities focusing on the theme.
Saturday August 28 – Copenhagen International Day, along Peblinge Dossering from 11:00 – 18:00 hrs. PUGAD just like the last successive 3 years will have a booth where we display different Information materials, power point show on our projects and on our activities in general.
Saturday September 25th at St. Anne Church at the “lille sal”, Hans Bogbinders Alle 3, 2300 Copenhagen S from 13:00 – 20:00 hrs.- with all the above mentioned activities, we will draw people’s attention on this day by inviting them to hear about PUGAD, about 2015 goals and all about development processes in general. There will be cultural feature, debate from politicians, and NGO folks. Refreshments will be served; coffee/tea, sandwiches and other kinds of snacks. Note this on your calendars now and invite families and friends.
As announced previously Copenhagen Union of Electricians)has sponsored PUGAD for a period of 3 years. 1st May 2009 they donated 10.550, - which was sent to our project partner Villareal, Samar Cooperative for the purchase of the following: 1/3 for new fishing nets, 1/3 for the reparation of the motorboats and 1/3 for the swine feeds.
Again this year we participated in their 1st May Labour Day activity where 50 lottery prizes (small things from the Philippines) were withdrawn, contributed an article about PUGAD’s engagements and a report on the cooperative’s status. The board has decided to spend the amount to support a new fishing project outside Manila area.
In the Fishers Union Network, we have just applied to NGO Forum an extra grant, as the last year’s grant culminated in 2009.12.31. We expect a response by the end of June. The most important point in the 2nd round is to influence EU’s fishing policy towards the developing countries and further build a strong global network. In this connection, we have worked out a report by an external consultant regarding the network, see attached report. Furthermore, we like to mention that we got a new member in the network; PAS ( Puntland Aid Service) a Somali organization.
Einer Lyduch
chairman
On behalf of PUGAD
