(ANS - Brussels) – On 28 May 2014, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee  held a briefing in Brussels and a regional consultation for the objectives of sustainable development. The meetings were attended by Don Bosco International.

The regional meetings on the objectives for sustainable development are taking place in the context of reflection on the post-2015 targets. The aim is to identify new targets to succeed the eight Millennium Development Goals, adopted in New York in 2000 and ending precisely in 2015.

The process of reflection on post-2015 was launched in 2012 by the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon. It has already identified sixteen areas of action ranging from poverty reduction to education, sustainable production and consumption, the ecosystem and biodiversity.  It was then left to the major groups, civil society organizations and other interested parties to contribute at regional level with their priorities and offer their perspectives.

On 27 February 2013 the European Commission published a communiqué  on its vision for post-2015 entitled "A decent life for all". On 14 April 2014 the Council of Ministers of the European Union passed a proposal to make 2015 the European Year for development, with the motto "Our world, our dignity, our future".

The meeting took place in Brussels. It was an opportunity to share information and news about the Working Group on Sustainable Development which is meeting in New York. It allowed for an exchange on topics of interest on the part of institutions and the situations they are involved in. Don Bosco International stressed the importance and the role of education.  It urged those present to return to the ultimate meaning of education which is the integral development of the human person, as expressed in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Similarly, the representatives of Don Bosco International, along with some youth representatives, have sought to stress the importance of taking into account in all future goals, the interests of the child and the needs of youth, especially the poorest .

With EXPO 2015 dedicated to the theme of food, the European year for Development and the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, 2015 promises to be a year with many significant events.

Published 05/06/2014