Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-04-12-Speech-2-057"
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"en.20050412.7.2-057"2
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".
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today we are debating an issue that reveals the true nature of the world about us. An attempt is being made to close the yawning gaps that currently exist between the living conditions of the people inhabiting this planet. This can also be regarded as a practical test of our understanding of the word ‘neighbour’, in relation to both individuals and nations. Speaking in this House and at this point in time, I feel obliged to mention the Holy Father John Paul II, whose memory this House honoured yesterday, as this issue was one of particular concern to him, and he appealed to the consciences of people all over the world. The history of humanity shows us that the Millennium Development Goals, which as we know were adopted in the Jubilee Year 2000, are indeed worthy of their name, as we should not forget that the fight against poverty has been waged on Earth for millennia.
The Millennium Goals must be implemented effectively and as rapidly as possible. I should therefore like to thank Mrs Kinnock for the effort she has put into drafting a report setting out the European Union’s role in achieving these goals. At the same time, however, I am unable to consent to pro-abortion measures masquerading under the name of reproductive health rights being termed progress, as is the case in paragraph 15.
The short speaking time available to me makes it impossible for me to examine this issue in full, even though it is of enormous significance. I should, however, like to share some thoughts on the matter with you. It is sometimes said that people are poor because they are stupid, and it is also said that they are stupid because they are poor. This vicious circle of helplessness must be broken, and aid must be given to poor countries and regions in the form of large-scale investment in education. It is true that primary education is mentioned in the second of the Millennium Goals, but in my opinion this falls a long way short of what is needed. Good secondary schools and universities must be built in these countries and regions. I would particularly like to stress that the schools and universities must be situated in the countries and regions in question, in order to ensure that these nations produce educated people who wish to help their fellow citizens. We must therefore pay close attention to the needs of local communities, instead of attempting to bestow happiness in line with someone else’s ideas, however noble they may be. Otherwise we will be building houses on sand, and our actions will amount to giving people fish rather than teaching them how to fish for themselves.
I should like to touch upon one more issue, namely that appropriate funding is needed to solve these problems properly. This will involve a great deal of money, but no more than the richer countries, which include the European Union, can afford. The funding currently available is by no means adequate.
I should also like to alert the House to the fact that quite considerable funding could be obtained for this universal cause by introducing a tax on foreign exchange transactions, or in other words a Tobin tax."@en1
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