IFPA Submission to the White Paper on Development Cooperation

May 2005.

The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) welcomes the current review of and consultation process around Ireland’s Official Development Assistance Programme.

Along with our colleagues in the Dóchas network we believe that strategic relationships and genuine partnerships between civil society organisations and Development Cooperation Ireland are key to the achievement of development objectives.

With this submission the IFPA is asking that the White Paper on Development Cooperation consolidates and increases Ireland’s support for reproductive and sexual health programmes. This is based on the recognition, detailed later, that poverty will never be eased or the Millennium Development Goals attained without the full implementation of the International Conference Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action.

While we will not elaborate on aspects outside our particular focus in this document please note that we fully support the Dóchas submission particularly its recommendations on:

• Meeting 0.7% of GNP UN target
• Relocation of DCI to Limerick
• Ireland’s aid remaining untied

The IFPA looks forward to continued engagement with DCI as development and implementation of the White Paper moves forward.

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