Development

European Year for Development 2015: Main events coming up

Published

11 years ago

January 7, 2015

The EU has dedicated 2015 to development co-operation and aid to highlight the importance of international development and the key role played by the EU and its member states. The Parliament will be closely involved with the events that will include the European Development Days, thematic hearings organised by the EP's development committee and the World EXPO in Milan.

"The European Year for Development 2015 is an important chance to engage citizens in the work of the EU institutions in development policy," said development committee chairwoman Linda McAvan, a UK member of the S&D group, in an interview published on the European Parliament's web site in December 2014.

Events and activities

Official opening event in Riga, Latvia, on 9 January.

The whole year is divided into thematic months. It starts in January with Europe in the World and concludes in December with Human Rights.

The development committee will organize hearings on subjects such as "the future of development finance" on 23 February and its members will also participate in events in the member states and outside the EU.

World EXPO 2015 'Feeding the Planet - Energy for Life' starts in Milan at the beginning of May. The European Parliament will be present.

European Development Days, a high-level forum on development and international co-operation, will take place in Brussels on 3-4 June. It is considered to be one of the most important events of the European Year for Development, focusing on how member states and people can help to eradicate poverty and defend human rights worldwide.