European Union: Growing stronger together-European Day Supplement

Today, we celebrate the EU day. New Vision talked to EU Head of delegation in Uganda, Dr Roberto Ridolfi about the EU activities.

What would you like the people of Uganda to know about the European Union (EU), Europeans, Europe Day or indeed EU—Uganda cooperation?
May 9 is an annual opportunity to celebrate the EU’s achievements and to reflect on its aims: peace, freedom, prosperity and working together. Since 1975, Uganda and the EU have entertained a solid and vibrant partnership. Being the EU Ambassador to Uganda since January 2011, Europe Day is an opportunity to celebrate the close partnership that exists between Europe and Uganda.

The European Union is an economic and political union or confederation of 27 member states. From an original community of six we have come a long way. Integration is the opposite of conflict so its attraction remains even in difficult economic times.

The 28th state to join the European Union will be Croatia on January 1, 2013. With a combined population of over 500 million inhabitants (about 7% of the world population), the EU generated a nominal GDP of $16.4 trillion in 2010, which represents an estimated 20% of global GDP when measured in terms of purchasing power parity. The EU is the biggest trading block in the world and is the biggest provider of development assistance in the world.

Under what theme is the day being celebrated this year? Why was this year’s theme selected and how is it relevant to Uganda?
This year’s theme is “Growing stronger Together” and it is a global theme and definitely relevant in Uganda too. It was selected to highlight strength in unity, even in difficult times.

How would you describe the relationship between the European Union and the Ugandan government?
The EU currently has excellent relations with Uganda and an intense political dialogue at all levels, including with President Museveni. The EU’s political dialogue with Uganda under the Cotonou agreement covers socio-economic transformation, regional peace and security issues, transparency, human rights, and the democratic process. The European Union has established a mission to observe the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.

Are there specific lessons and experiences that you want to share with regards to implementation of diplomatic relationship in Uganda?
As always with a political dialogue, openness and a willingness to listen and to learn from each other are important. Ill-founded claims do not belong to a political dialogue between democratic partners. I am referring to recent headlines in some of the local dailies to which no substance whatsoever has been presented.

One key challenge in African states is wide spread corruption, what is your take on this?
Globally, the expanding cost of politics and increasing corruption are widely recognised as being inhibiting factors to inward investment, increasing transaction cost of business, and thus affecting macroeconomic performance.

Ultimately, it happens at the expense of the poor people for the benefit of a few. The Uganda Government should continue to demonstrate political will and political responsibility for the fight against corruption with concrete  measures, and swift implementation.

What would you like the people of Uganda to know about the European Union (EU), Europeans, Europe Day or indeed EU—Uganda cooperation?
May 9 is an annual opportunity to celebrate the EU’s achievements and to reflect on its aims: peace, freedom, prosperity and working together. Since 1975, Uganda and the EU have entertained a solid and vibrant partnership. Being the EU Ambassador to Uganda since January 2011, Europe Day is an opportunity to celebrate the close partnership that exists between Europe and Uganda. The European Union is an economic and political union or confederation of 27 member states.

From an original community of six we have come a long way. Integration is the opposite of conflict so its attraction remains even in difficult economic times. The 28th state to join the European Union will be Croatia on January 1, 2013. With a at all levels, including with President Museveni. The EU’s political dialogue with Uganda under the Cotonou agreement covers socio-economic transformation, regional peace and security issues, transparency, human rights, and the democratic process. The European Union has established a mission to observe the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.

Are there specific lessons and experiences that you want to share with regards to implementation of diplomatic relationship in Uganda?
As always with a political dialogue, openness and a willingness to listen and to learn from each other are important. Ill-founded claims do not belong to a political dialogue between democratic partners. I am referring to recent headlines in some of the local dailies to which no substance whatsoever has been presented.

One key challenge in African states is wide spread corruption, what is your take on this?
Globally, the expanding cost of politics and increasing corruption are widely recognised as being inhibiting factors to inward investment, increasing transaction cost of business, and thus affecting macroeconomic performance. Ultimately, it happens at the expense of the poor people for the benefit of a few. The Uganda Government should continue to demonstrate political will and political responsibility for the fight against corruption with concrete measures, and swift implementation of anti-corruption measures. We welcome the recent appointment of the IGG.

What is your stake on the Government’s stand of peace and security?
The EU is Uganda’s partner in training Somalis to return to their country and oppose and the sovereign debt crisis. They have been contained, because public authorities stepped in, and are still stepping in, to provide economic stability. Today, the growth debate is taking centre stage all over Europe, and rightly so. It was never absent, simply less visible. The objective is that Europe remains a very attractive continent in which to live and work, create wealth and spend it, for all citizens. And for that we need growth, ‘quality’ growth. And of course we need to preserve an environment of social dialogue, cohesion and fairness. I can assure you that Europeans are aware of this.

As the East African Community countries try to unite, the use of a one currency comes to the front. What is your take on this?
The EU commends the Government of Uganda’s leading role in the regional EAC integration process, and in addition the constructive leadership it has been providing to the EPA negotiations with the EU. The EU also supports EAC’s efforts towards fiscal and monetary union which are the compulsory passage into a single currency.

What are the critical aspects of European unity that have contributed to its economic growth and stability that Uganda and other states can emulate for better development?
We believe that European integration has been crucial to the long period of economic growth which we have seen in Europe. Economic integration towards an internal market where goods, services, investments and labour move freely has significantly contributed to growth in Europe.

Together with a social solidarity between different regions it has provided for an increased standard of living of its residents. But equally important is the always renewed or ever growing commitment to democracy, human rights, good governance and the rule of law. Every country which democratically chooses to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace and solidarity.

These values also find expression through common regional economic, social and environmental cooperation. And let us not forget that the EU was and still is a peace project, which has had unprecedented success in bringing peace and stability to its member states.

ENHANCING ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN UGANDA

Representatives from Trocaire, DGAP and local partner organisations at the launch event of the EU funded 10th EDF Social Accountability Project in Kitgum.

Trócaire is an Irish international organization founded by the Catholic Church in 1973. Trócaire has had a country office in Uganda since 2008 and the mandate of Trócaire is to work in development, to tackle poverty and to build and enhance justice. Trócaire always works through partnerships with local NGO’s in the countries where we work.

In this particular project, Trocaire is working through and with Facilitation for Peace and Development (FAPAD) operating in the Lango sub region, Gulu District NGO Forum, Kitgum District NGO Forum and Pader District NGO Forum which are working in the Acholi sub region, Teso Initiative for Peace (TIP) operating in the Teso sub region and the Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Organizations (DENIVA) working at a national level.

This 18 month project (January 2012-June 2013) is supported by the European Union. The EU grant of €492,255 is managed through the Democratic Governance and Accountability Programme under the National Authorising Officer at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The overall objective of the agreed intervention is to contribute to civil society effectively utilizing the space created by the constitution and key policies and programmes to represent the voice of the people in local and national policymaking, and programme planning processes.

The specific objective is to build an empowered and vibrant civil society, especially CSOs, engaging with local and national government and other development actors on key policy and program change in favour of vulnerable communities in North and North Eastern Uganda.

The project targets vulnerable, poor and marginalised communities in the districts shaded in the map. Final beneficiaries include 329 CSOs, 4,010 community members and leaders, and 60 representatives of the media and local authorities.
There are three expected results:

1: Improved capacity and awareness of targeted local communities to increasingly participate in local decision making processes and promote social accountability.

2: Increased and improved monitoring and advocacy by CSOs on key policy issues, critical for effective poverty reduction at local and national levels.

3: Strengthened institutional capacity of targeted CSOs and CSO networks for increased effectiveness, accountability and transparency in their operations, and improved communication and visibility of CSOs and CSO networks.

The aforementioned partner organisations each play a key role towards implementation of the project;

DENIVA is playing a key role in capacity building of local CSO’s and in national level advocacy.

FAPAD is strengthening the capacities of grassroots organisations to engage with local leadership through provision of civic education in Lira, Oyam and Kole.

Gulu NGO Forum is strengthening CSOs and their grassroots community structures to proactively engage with local government in the planning, monitoring and implementation of social service delivery. Kitgum NGO Forum is developing the capacity of local CBOs and their members to engage with local and district leaders in decision making processes related to social service delivery.

Teso Initiative for Peace is working towards enhancing community active participation in decision making processes at local levels and enhancing local leadership responsiveness and accountability through dialogue trainings and drama groups.

Pader NGO Forum is implementing capacity building activities to ensure that citizens have a platform to proactively monitor implementation of social service delivery at all local levels.