 |
Press Release from Nirj Deva DL MEP |
2nd
March 2008 |
|
MEP
launches global poverty
competition for local schools |
As a leading member of the European Parliament’s International
Development committee, South East England MEP Nirj Deva is one of a
team of Parliamentarians responsible for deciding how to distribute
more than 8 billion Euros of aid each year to help tackle food
shortages and disease in the developing world.
This year, the MEP has enlisted the help of the young people in
Abingdon, sending out a survey to every school and head teacher
urging young people to tell him how they think the money should be
spent.
The survey touches on areas such as wealth creation, the conditions
that should be placed upon giving aid and the effectiveness of
economic sanctions. Judged by a panel of experts from global aid
charities, the best short essay or action plan for tackling global
poverty will be awarded a prize of a trip to the European Parliament
in Brussels.
Speaking from the European Parliament, Deva said:
“It is shocking to think that whilst kids in the South East no older
than twelve or thirteen are spending money on dieting fads, four
people every minute are dying of hunger in the third world.
“I have launched this competition to raise awareness amongst young
people about the difficult issues that we face in trying to
eradicate poverty in the world.
“It is not only our problem today but one that they will inherit in
the future as water shortages become even more commonplace and the
international community begins to feel the increasing effects of
climate change more and more.
“It’s all too easy as a politician to sit in an ivory tower telling
people what you want them to hear. In this case, I want to hear what
my younger constituents think about this crucially important issue”.
|
|
