Eurizons – European Tour for Global Responsibility

By Markus Petz, GLEN Europe Network
www.glen-europe.org/

I am now in Riga on the first day of Eurizons – The European Tour for Global Responsibility. This is the beginning of Eurizons, which can be seen at www.eurizons.net It seeks to promote the spirit of the Millennium Declaration with the participation of the indigenous pueblos of Europe taking part in a Global Partnership for Development. Goal 8 of the MDGs is a Global Partnership for Development and places a responsibility especially on the Global North’s shoulders. This includes Europe and GLEN does quite some development work to make such a partnership effective.

The Millennium Declaration has a quite broad remit. Unfortunately through a mix of campaigning and media distillation it has gone from Millennium Declaration - very wide ranging to 8 Millennium Development Goals - missing out what I call the 9th MDG - namely peace building. And then ultimately to Make Poverty History - which is sold in the old paradigm of give the third world money to pay off their debts. Usually this is marketed as cash to big NGOs or as governments Official Development Assistance.

In actuality the MDGs are supposed to be monitored in every country with a series of indicators. Only Sweden is scoring well in all of these so EVERY other country has work to do. A Global Partnership means individuals as well as institutions and governments making a difference. I would take issue that it has to be just NGOs that effect change. I believe individuals can and will make a difference too. You will see we intend to make a practical difference.

This is good governance and a model of participative democracy. Just as the Millennium Declaration was supported by countries across the world so the eurizons is being supported by politicians across the political spectrum. By partnering with MEPs we let the EUropean Parliament know we want the MDGs achieved. This lobbying will also be with photos of drivers and people met on the way. An Open Letter to the European Parliament is being composed with the thoughts and suggestions of the ordinary people of Europe with a bit being added in every city of the tour.

Cultural awareness is maintained by the use of leaflets and a CD or tape to be played in the local languages thus involving and informing the citizens of EUrope about eurizons and MDGs. The participants have been selected from the countries passed through so that feedback of the peoples’ views from the grass roots in their native languages can be achieved. Awareness raising en tour is only the beginning. How-to knowledge is needed for people to be responsible global Citizens.

We will be having 8 cultural, political and social events along the way, with debates, concerts, films, street performances, flash mobs.....…

eurizons wants to include a South perspective in the whole project so wherever you are, if you have something to say, we want to hear it! However the main target of eurizons is to re-enforce such international solidarity. The core message is:

6 billion people - 1 world - 8 goals YOUR ACTION MATTERS!

On the road trip it works by the hitch-hikers being in bi-national pairs and giving out free information about the MDGs to those they meet. With this will be things you can actually do to make a difference. It will be things like; places to buy fair trade food - to help the developing world; tips for empowering women - such as cooking a meal for your girlfriend/wife once a week so she has time to get involved in community work or people to get in touch with in the developing world - so you can become involved in their lives on a personal level, thus making a real global partnership. All these tips will appear on the eurizons website.

Lastly why not connect with us afterward? Get one of the hitch-hikers to come talk at your school, community hall or group. Organize your own tour - We are there to help you! We have already been approached by folks in West Africa, Egypt and Canada and will help them after this tour is finished. YES I am one of the HITCH-HIKERS! And if you want to do development work then get in touch with GLEN.

GLEN is a European network that links young activists in global education and qualifies them in their work as multipliers. It is a non-profit that contributes to a better understanding of global development in Europe. Young Europeans work together in bi-national tandems or international teams for three months in countries of the Southern Hemisphere, e.g.: India, Uganda, Namibia and South Africa. Before sharing what they learnt back in Europe.

Links:
www.eurizons.net
www.glen-europe.org/index.php?lnk=2
www.asa-programm.de/en/aboutasa/partners.html