In 2001, the German Government launched the Action Programme 2015 (“Aktionsprogramm 2015“). In fact, this programme is only a common platform for development policy and politics but no additional programme to eradicate poverty. The share of development expenses at German GDP ranges at only 0.27%, compared with 0.41% still in 1990, and compared with 1.3% for expenses on weapons. The German governmant declared its will to raise development expenses to 0.33% GDP until 2006 (official UN recommendation is a share of 0.7%).
For creation of political awareness, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit, http://www.bmz.de) launched a poster/postal card competition which is currently already finished. To 31 young people a price was awarded. Slogan of the competition: “Show your colour! Against global poverty“. The postal cards are now distributed e.g. at some universities.
Furthermore, an online platform was created (http://www.aktionsprogramm2015.de). Here are some useful informations offered: for teachers, how they can implement the topic of poverty eradication in their classes; for tourists, how they can make their holiday fair; for consumers, how they can use their market power as demanders to advantage fair trade.
The Federal President of Germany launched a school competition. Slogan: “All for One World for All“ (http://www.eineweltfueralle.de/01_wettbewerb/fs.php). The first round has already finished. Second round will start in autumn 2005.
In 2005, the German Government starts a new one-year-long campaign for raising awareness on MDGs. Youth is the main target group to be involved in the MDG process. Two popular German music groups (Wir sind Helden, Gentleman) support the campaign with their voices. These voices are going to be shown in cinemas. In the German city Bayreuth, a Rap Contest on MDGs is planned.
ACTIVITIES BY CIVIL SOCIETY
The German national network of NGOs within the frame of the “Global Call to Action Against Poverty“ (GCAP) exists since Septembre 2004. It is focussed on fair trade, debt relief and more and better development aid. Its MDG campaign was launched on March 31, 2005 (www.deinestimmegegenarmut.de). The popular German singers Herbert Grönemeyer, Xavier Naidoo, Gentleman and Wir sind Helden support the campaign. Video clips with their “Voices“ calling for poverty eradication will be shown on TV and in cinemas.
On the 1st of July – the first Global Day of Action – German NGOs plan to arrange some spectacular events. For instance, the Brandenburg Gate will be covered by a white band (the global symbol to show solidarity with MDGs). Whitebands to be worn will be sold online (http://www.weltfairsand.de).
The youth network YOIS Europe organizes an Open Forum on MDGs in June in Berlin at the Berlin05-Festival of the German Ministry for Youth Affairs. This workshop is organized in cooperation with TakingITGlobal. It should bring young people from Western Europe and beyond together for discussion about MDGs (http://www.yois-europe.org/mdg).
The youth network TakingITGlobal initiated some further activities on MDGs in Germany. For instance, on the 1st of July a presentation about MDGs will be given at the University of Dresden. TakingITGlobal is also networking existing youth activities on MDGs, primarily by online forums.
The student organization AIESEC has started a project to bring MDGs into schools. Together with trainees from the South, German AIESEC students will attend German schools and discuss with pupils about MDGs. Furthermore, AIESEC has installed an online dialogue forum on MDGs.
Within the frame of an awareness raising campaign of the German government, several other activities are planned. A Rap Contest in cooperation with the German TV and radio station WDR will deal with MDGs; its outcomes including a CD will be presented at the German music fair PopCom.
At the Youth Festival in Bayreuth parallel to the famous Wagner Festival, a music/theatre-workshop on MDGs will take place and will be promoted by a popular representative of the UN and a German actress. The produced film will be spread through universities (especially those dealing with theatre). Furthermore, a touring exhibition and some actions at the World Youth Day in Cologne are planned.
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