Launch of One World, One Future

Ireland is committed to a vision of a sustainable and just world, where people are empowered to overcome poverty and hunger and fully realise their rights and potential.

Our new policy One World, One Future: Ireland’s Policy for International Development was launched last week by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello.

In a world where 1 billion people are living below the poverty line, and 870 million people do not have enough food to eat, Ireland is committed to a vision of a sustainable and just world, where people are empowered to overcome poverty and hunger and fully realise their rights and potential. Rising food and energy prices, climate change and the global economic crisis pose challenges to the fight against hunger and poverty. Within this changing context, Irish Aid has set out three main goals to help us achieve a better future for the world’s poorest people:

• Reduce hunger, and improve resilience
• Sustainable development, inclusive economic growth
• Better Governance, human rights and accountability 

In working towards these goals, Irish Aid will build on our achievements so far which, in the past 10 years, have seen poverty rates amongst ethnic minorities fall by 17% in Vietnam, reduced the number of households in Malawi without enough food by 20% and helped 46 million more children to attend school in Africa.   We remain results focused, and we aim to strengthen our long term relationships with key partner countries, not only through aid, but through increasing trade opportunities.

Recognising that those living in fragile states are particularly vulnerable, we will  strengthen relationships with fragile states, including the announcement of Sierra Leone as a new Key Partner Country.Our new volunteering initiative will be another way in which these relationships may be strengthened, enabling members of the Irish public to share their skills and expertise and contribute to sustainable development. More details on the initiative will be announced in the coming weeks and information will be available on our website and via Twitter.

We will continue to promote better governance and human rights including gender equality. One World, One Future will help us to continue the progress that is being achieved in improving the lives of the most world’s most vulnerable families and communities.