European Development Days 2018 is opening tomorrow and is bringing together Europe’s and the world’s development community, with the aim of putting women at the forefront of sustainable development.
The theme of European Development Days 2018 (EDDs), which is the 12th iteration, is ‘Women and Girls at the Forefront of Sustainable Development: protect, empower, invest’.
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who will open the EDDs, commented: “There can be no sustainable development if half of the world’s population is left behind.
“We need equal participation and leadership of women and girls in all spheres of life – both in Europe and in the world. This is what we will focus on during these European Development Days.”
Eliminating all forms of violence against women
Neven Mimica, commissioner for international co-operation and development, added: “The EDDs gather the development community from all corners of the globe to learn from each other and to inspire new partnerships.
“Only if we act together will we manage to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and empower them to truly be at the forefront of sustainable development.”
Participating in the event are:
- Juncker;
- High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini;
- First-Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans; and
- Commissioners Mimica, Cecilia Malmström, Christos Stylianides, Phil Hogan and Mariya Gabriel.
Promoting youthful ideology
Also at the event, 16 young leaders from around the world will join high-level panels to exchange ideas and experiences with policymakers and world leaders.
Participation and voices of young people will be additionally promoted this year by a large Youth Lounge that will facilitate youth organisations and activists’ gatherings and discussions on gender equality and other development issues.
About EDDs
European Development Days were launched in 2006 as a way to gather the international development community and discuss the way forward to eradicate poverty.
