The European Parliament adopted a declaration on development education and active global citizenship tabled by Filip KACZMAREK (EPP, PL), Maria BADIA I CUTCHET (S&D, ES), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Catherine GRÈZE (Greens/EFA, FR) and Fiona HALL (ADLE, UK) and signed by 398 Members.

Members recall that development education and awareness-raising are central to European development policies, as outlined in the European Development Education Consensus. They recall that the despite being one of the biggest funders of development education in Europe, the European Union does not have a dedicated strategy in this field.

However, during periods marked by austerity, crises and the rise of nationalist and populist movements, it is particularly important to support active global citizenship.

It is for this reason that the European Parliament calls on:

• the Commission and the Council to develop a long-term, cross-sectoral European strategy for development education, awareness-raising and active global citizenship;
• the Member States to develop or strengthen national development education strategies.