Belgian launch of the European Year for Development 2015 Debate:" Culture as Pillar of Development Cooperation"

Belgian launch of the European Year for Development 2015

Debate:" Culture as Pillar of Development Cooperation"

Investing in culture is equivalent to investing in human development…is essential as a basis for mutual respect, tolerance and, in my opinion, even for stability and peace…it is very important for young people to have the opportunity to discover culture at a very early age…

Her Majesty Mathilde, Queen of the Belgians, 2015.

…culture and development cooperation are two areas that are not only closely interlinked, but that also mutually influence each other.

Alexander de Croo,Minister of Development of Belgian, 2015

Culture is an expectedpowerful tool to uphold human dignity, combat poverty, defend equality and prevent conflict.

Klaus Rudishauser, Deputy Directorate General on Commission's DG for International Cooperation and Development, 2015

After the official opening in Riga of the European Year for Development 2015 in the beginning of the year under the slogan "Our world, our dignity, our future", another flagship initiative took place: it was launched in Belgium!

As the first ever European Year to focus on external relations, "this European Year for Development provides us with a unique opportunity to explore new horizons". Aimingto stimulate the active interest of European citizens and to raise awareness of the benefits of the Union's and the Member States' in development cooperation,not only for beneficiaries of the Union's development assistance but also for Union citizens, and to foster among citizens in Europe and developing countries a sense of joint responsibility, solidarity and opportunity as regards participation in policy formulation and implementationin a changing and increasingly interdependent world, [1] 2015 will be a crucial year for the global development agenda. It is an opportunity to showcase the strong commitment of the EU and its Member States to eradicating poverty worldwide and promoting human development. The event was organised in January, month with a focus on Europe’s position in the world/ Global citizenship in the EYD thematic agenda.

[1] Decision No 472/2014/Eu of the European Parliament and of the Council

of 16 April 2014