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Ireland launches new development policy

One World, One Future graphic

Michael McManus, Irish Aid

On 2nd May 2013, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamon Gilmore T.D., together with Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr Joe Costello T.D., launched One World, One Future – Ireland’s Policy for International Development.

The new policy replaces the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid and was developed following a review of that Policy instigated by the current government. The Review involved extensive consultation with members of the public, with parliamentarians, NGOs, research bodies, the private sector and diaspora groups living in Ireland. Overall, we met with over 1,000 people and received over 165 written submissions.

In this new policy, we reiterate Ireland’s commitment to ending global poverty and hunger. We will do so through our overseas aid budget, our leadership on the international stage and through the skills and expertise available in Irish institutions and Irish society more broadly.

A changing world

At the core of our new policy are some significant global changes.

Firstly, while there has been very impressive progress in reducing poverty, it is clear that countries affected by conflict or other forms of fragility lag far behind, with millions of people still mired in extreme poverty.

Similarly, while the significant economic growth in middle income countries is welcome, we recognize that it has not reached all citizens equally, nor is it always based on sustainable growth patterns. In both cases, Irish Aid is responding.

We are gradually re-focusing our resources on countries emerging from the shadow of conflict and fragility, such as Sierra Leone. We are also changing our approach to countries reaching middle income status placing greater emphasis on wealth distribution and the role which Irish institutions can play in supporting them to build an economy which benefits all citizens.

Graduating from a dependence on aid

A fairer and more equitable world will bring new markets for our goods and enhance the prospects for peace and stability. Working to eradicate poverty and hunger is therefore not just the right thing to do; it is also in our interest as a small, open, trading country in an ever more globalised world.

L-R: Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D., Nora Owen (Chairperson of the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group) and Minister of State Joe Costello T.D. launch the new policy