On November 5, French Deputy Minister for Development Pascal Canfin kicked off the Conference on Development and International Solidarity. The conference, which will run through March 2013, has one objective: to help France define its position regarding its post-2015 engagements abroad with respect to development and the fight to reduce poverty, inequality, and exclusion. The year 2015 is the deadline set by the United Nations for achieving the Millenium Development Goals.
In addition to public authorities, conference participants will also include representatives from unions, businesses, local governments, foundations, research bodies, and NGOs. As a member of Coordination Sud and representing Groupe Initiatives, AVSF was invited to take part in the first round-table discussion at the opening of the conference, and we will continue to be involved in these debates throughout the entirety of the conference.
