The Madrid NGO Network, which brings together around 100 organizations based in the region, including Juan Ciudad NGO, has created a symbolic installation in Puerta del Sol denouncing the neglect of public cooperation policy. Objects related to healthcare, access to water and sanitation, education, food, and gender equality have been placed on the floor along with figures showing the cuts to this budget. Specifically, a 90% reduction from its all-time high in 2008.
As Sonsoles Garcia-Nieto, President of the NGO Network, pointed out, "for 2017, the allocation for the Subdirectorate of Volunteering and Development Cooperation represents less than âŹ4 million, or 0.02 million TP3T of the total budget." This allocation also includes other personnel and current expenses, and only âŹ2.25 million will be allocated to international cooperation (0.012 million TP3T of the total budget). The organizations are demanding a progressive increase to 0.71 million TP3T, a commitment set by the United Nations. Garcia-Nieto added that "regional and local governments must also be involved in global development processes. The lives of thousands of people around the world could improve with better decentralized cooperation."
Despite the solidarity of its citizens and its economic possibilities, Madrid is the Autonomous Community with the lowest ranking in terms of Official Development Assistance (ODA), according to the latest Oxfam Intermon report. The organizations organizing the street action also denounce the failure to comply with the 1999 Law on this matter, due to the lack of instruments such as the General Plan, Annual Plans, or the Cooperation Council.
Representatives of development NGOs and civil society from Madrid attended the event. Also present was Socialist Member of the Madrid Assembly, MĂłnica Silvana, who expressed her support for the demands of the Madrid NGO Network. At the end of the installation, representatives of the organization delivered a letter to the registry of the Community of Madrid requesting a meeting with President Cristina Cifuentes to address what they describe as a "worrying situation of neglect."
News: REDONGDCAM
Photos: Xisco Muñoz. Project Technician at Juan Ciudad NGO.
