Last week ONE launched the seventh annual DATA Report, “Europe’s African Promise”, and we couldn’t be more excited about the reactions we’re receiving. Traditionally the report holds the world’s wealthiest countries accountable for the progress that they’ve made in meeting commitments to the world’s poorest countries. This year, the DATA Report 2012 focused on the European Union’s pledges to increase development assistance to 0.7% of gross national income by 2015, and provide half of all increases to Africa. To present our findings, ONE held launches in four European capitals and picked up media coverage in 10 European countries and across the globe.
In Paris, ONE held a press breakfast where we presented the main conclusions of the report, and shared the French version. The DATA Report was covered in key media outlets including AFP, Jeune Afrique, RFI, France 24, and Les Echos. The ONE team also personally delivered the report to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Development, and the OECD.
In Berlin, ONE discussed the report at a luncheon with attendees from government, academia, nongovernmental organisations, and staffers from the German parliament. Some of Germanys’ bigger newspapers, such as the Tagesspiegel, the taz, the Frankfurter Rundschau and Financial Times Deutschland, as well as many regional newspapers referred to the report. See the German version here.
In Brussels, ONE presented the DATA Report at an event with a distinguished panel which included Mr. Reimer Boege MEP, and Mr. Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, Minister from Cyprus who holds the EU Presidency for the rest of this year. The panel also included Mr. Klaus Rudischhauser, a senior Director from within the European Commission. Press included Euractiv and Europost stories, as well as media across the EU, including Italy’s La Stampa and coverage in Latvia and Bulgaria.
In London, ONE held an event in coordination with AidWatch to present the findings of the DATA Report and the AidWatch Report 2012 to NGO and government representatives. The DATA Report was featured in articles in The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, and the BBC.
In addition to media, we’ve had statements by government leaders reacting to the DATA Report:
European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs—
“It is with great interest that I took note of the findings of ONE’s “The 2012 Data Report” which examines EU progress in reaching development aid funding and assesses the quality of aid provided by the EU institutions and Member States…While I take note of the recommendations to further improve our work and impact on the ground, this report is a valuable input for us in the framework of the discussions on the next 7 year budget and the next European Development Fund (2014-2020)…As Commissioner for Development, I will continue to call on Member States to keep their promises.”
Denmark Minister for Development Cooperation, Christian Friis Bach—
“The report from ONE underlines Denmark’s strong record as an aid contributor, not least in Africa. The government is very proud to have been able to not just secure existing aid budgets, but actually increase aid in a time of financial hardship and austerity”
“As the Danish EU presidency comes to an end, we are working as hard as ever to make sure that the EU reaches its own stated goals on development assistance.”
