To ensure the development of some of the Millennium Development Goals, the German Development Service team came to Dumaguete to talk about probable solutions on environmental protection, peace and conflicts, and good governance. {{more}}
“The Philippines must improve coordination, collaboration, and cooperation with the German Development Service and other partner countries to intensify development and implementation of these MDGs,”said DED Director-General Dr. Jurgen Wilhelm in a forum held Sept. 30 at Silliman University.
He said he is pleased that Negros Oriental is “actively involved” in their endeavors as Bayawan, Sta. Catalina, and La Libertad have received grants for forest management and have started working on their respective projects.
“The project provides ground for reforestation and reduction of soil erosion. And DED will plan, sustain and monitor the strong forest management project,” Wilhelm added.
He said the group puts premium on environmental issues. “It is necessary to bring young people to the attention that it is a surviving aspect to take care of the environment. It does not start in the university, [among] adults and NGOs. It should start in kindergarten,” he continued.
“As in development cooperation, you always campaign a very modest contribution-to want the country itself and the citizens themselves to solve the problems. They have to tackle the problems in a positive-constructive way not only because it is a global challenge but because it is also a challenge for themselves,” he added.
On the question of governance, Wilhelm said: “The Philippines needs to implement effective policy against corruption. Accountability is important towards achieving the MDGs . . . . Development and progress cannot be achieved unless there is also economic development,” he explained.
“It is also profitable for each and every citizen of the government to take care, be productive, to find solutions in a positive way and to do all these in a democratic and a peaceful framework,” Wilhelm footnoted his speech.
The German Development Services is one of the leading European services for sending development workers abroad. It was founded in 1963 as a non-profit-making. (Kathyrine Mercado/SU Masscom)
