EU News
Double Aid for Poorest African Nations
12 October 2005
The European Union has issued a new development strategy focusing mainly on alleviating poverty in Africa, and on keeping EU member states committed to their promises made to double aid to the continent. Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, has called on EU leaders to reach a deal on the EU budget so the EU could fulfill UN commitments to boost aid programs. Weblink.
European Commission Fighting Human Trafficking
21 October 2005
The European Commission recently unveiled a set of new policies to combat human trafficking. The Commission is urging member states to consolidate and improve their anti-trafficking policies. Weblink.
General Affairs and External Relations Meeting
18 October 2005
The European Council, General Affairs and External Relations, held a meeting in Luxembourg. The meeting came to the conclusion than in accordance with the Doha Work Program, there was a need for more focus on the interests and needs of developing countries. More information.
EU Budget Deal for Christmas
20 October 2005
Josef Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission, made a political appeal to EU president Tony Blair to agree on the overall EU budget by Christmas. Funding allocations to thematic programs, such as human and social development, is pending agreement on the overall budget.
http://euobserver.com/?aid=20142&rk=1
Budget Deal Fundamental for Accession Countries
27 October 2005
Tony Blair, UK Prime Minister, this week acknowledged the importance of reaching a budget deal for the bloc by the end of the year. He also stated that while reaching a deal was important to current Member States it is fundamental for accession countries.
http://euobserver.com/?aid=20192&rk=1
Follow up: Impact of Health on the EU Economy
23 October 2005
The results of the study on the impact of health on the EU economy, financed by DG Health and Consumer Protection, have now been published. The report identifies HIV/AIDS as one of the main threats to EU health. Download the report.
Removing the Stigma on Male Sexual Health within Europe
25 October 2005
DSW has published an article in the European Men's Health Forum newsletter that cautions on the importance of actively involving men in sexual and reproductive health issues. The article also highlights the importance of men taking responsibility for their own sexual health and the need to remove the stigma surrounding the issue. Read the article.
Leibniz Forum
18 October 2005
The Leibniz Association, a network of scientific institutes, in collaboration with the Hanse-Office, a common institute of the German Länder Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, held an evening discussion panel with experts at the Leibniz Forum in Brussels entitled “The Old New
Plagues- AIDS, SARS and TB”. The outcome of the discussion revealed that more funding and research was needed in the HIV/AIDS field, to come up with a vaccine in the foreseeable future. The official website: http://www.wgl.de/index.html
EU Social Model
25 October 2005
David Blunkett, UK Work and Pension Secretary, cautioned that the EU should not base its social model on that of the US but rather look at member states that currently have a successful social model in place already. According to Mr. Blunkett, the UK was looking towards the social models of the Nordic countries. Weblink.
Young People Fighting for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
19 October 2005
A conference was held at the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU, by YouAct, a recently established youth network of young people in Europe active in the field of sexual and reproductive rights. The event revealed that access to sex education and youth friendly family planning services still remains a luxury even within the EU.
http://www.youact.org/
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