Italy: OCSE data show failure in reaching Millennium Goals

According to recent OCSE data Italy only allocates 0,2% of its GDP to development, making it one of the rich countries that least gives to fighting poverty.
?During international forums Italy, along with other rich nations, has committed to setting aside 0,7% of its GDP for development by 2015? states one of the Millennium Campaign reports (www.millenniumcampaign.it). ?This commitment has been repeated at the European government, where Italy has committed its self to reaching intermediate goals as well. These are: to reach 0,33% by 2006 (this goal has obviously not been reached ) and 0,51% by 2010.?

?Other donor countries are honouring their international commitments, some are even exceeding them: Sweden has already achieved 1,03 %, Denmark 0,80%, Luxemburg 0,89%, the Netherlands 0,81%, and Norway 0,89%. All European partners are maintaining their intermediate goals? states the report ?except for Italy, Greece and Portugal.?
?The data published by OCSE today reflects the measures imposed by the 2005 financial law ? says Silvia Francescon, the millennium campaign coordinator for the UN ? and this is very worrying: Italy is at the end of the long list of donor countries. We know that this is not what the Italian people want, awareness about poverty and about the importance of reaching the millennium goals is increasing. Although the Prodi government has increased the amount awarded for development purposes it still falls short of meeting international commitments, as has been admitted by the Minister for foreign affairs, Mr D?Alema, during a speech in feburary.?

We are still in time to change direction, says Ms Francescon ? both the President, Romano Prodi, and the Minister for Foreign affairs, Massimo D?Alema, have made it clear that fighting poverty is an important part of Italy?s international governmental activities. This gives us hope for the next DPEF that is about to be designed and, of course, for the next financial law which we are expecting will prioritise the reduction of poverty by substantially increasing development funds.

?We know that the Vice Minister, Ms Sentinelli, is very involved in this sense, she is evaluating the possibility of proposing to create funds for development by taxing international monetary transactions. It is for this reason that Italy is part of a group of countries that is attempting to bring this discussion to the international level which is a sign that Italy wants to reaffirm its role in the international scenario regarding such matters. It is also important that the quality of development is maintained at a high level so as to guarantee their efficiency? concludes Ms Francescon.