Paul McGrath
Question:207 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the civic development and political education programmes being funded partially or entirely under the Irish aid programmes. [6563/03]
Written Answers - Overseas Development Aid.
I assume the Deputy is referring to Ireland Aid's support for civil society organisations and democratic governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ireland Aid recognises the crucial role that civil society plays in development. Civil society organisations, especially Irish NGOs, are key partners for Ireland Aid given their keen understanding of issues at the community level where poverty is deepest. In our six programme countries and South Africa we support civil society organisations involvement in a wide range of activities which compliment and strengthen Government programmes aimed at tackling poverty and inequality.
In a move to further strengthen our interaction with civil society in the programme countries, a civil society strategy will form an important element of all future country strategy papers, the three year strategic frameworks which guide our policies and programmes for each country.
Closer to home Ireland Aid provides funding for development organisations and education institutions in Ireland to support research, the production of teaching resources and teacher training for civic, social and political education for junior cycle at second level. This subject incorporates a global and development dimension aimed at fostering a greater awareness and understanding of our rights and responsibilities as global citizens among students.
Good governance, support for human rights and democratic principles and respect for the rule of law are important elements of our programme in Africa. Ireland Aid supports a number of governance activities in our programme countries with the aim of strengthening citizens awareness of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic society. These include support for the preparation of national elections, voter education, civic education, public sector reform, local government reform and improving access to justice.
The fundamental importance of governance for the success of the Ireland Aid programme is acknowledged by the recent decision to include governance, along with gender, HIV-AIDS and environment, as a fourth cross cutting issue, which requires that all aid proposals address this area in some way.
Question No. 208 answered with Question No. 142.