Last month, the Taináiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., and the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D, launched a public consultation process on Ireland’s new international development policy.

‘Transforming our World’, a consultation paper, was published setting out the priorities for the new policy with the public called upon to make a written submission in response to 4 questions:

1. What elements of Ireland’s long engagement with international development should inform the new policy?

2. What are the implications of the changing global context for Ireland’s international development cooperation and humanitarian action?

3. Do the proposed priorities contribute to the achievement of our vision of a more equal, peaceful, sustainable world in a changing global context?

4. How can we improve delivery of Ireland’s international development cooperation and humanitarian action?

Irish Aid White Paper Photo

Aidlink has responded to the call to engage in the public consultation process, and today publishes it’s submission. In it, we call upon the new international development policy to:

  – Commit to working with the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by prioritising universal access to basic resources and services (including health and education) in sub-Saharan Africa.

    – Re-affirm Ireland’s support for quality, effective development programmes that have a positive long-term impact and reduce the need for humanitarian interventions;

   – Recognise the contribution made by Irish NGOs, large and small, to the success of Ireland’s international development programme and commit to supporting them.

The next stage in the public consultation process will involve public meetings taking place in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo in late September/October (dates to be confirmed).

Aidlink would love some of our supporters to take part, particularly students who’ve participated in one of our Immersion Programmes! It’s a unique opportunity for you to have a say on how Ireland can help make a difference in the world. If you’re interested, get in touch and we’ll let you know as soon as the public meeting dates are announced!

In the meantime, you can read the full Aidlink Submission to the White Paper Consultation.