At the half way point for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Eurobarometer survey shows broad public support for certain priorities in development co-operation.
When asked to give their top three priorities most Europeans (66%) consider reducing extreme poverty and hunger in developing countries as a priority.
Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases is the second goal (46%).
The next three priorities were found to be universal provision of primary Education (34%), provision of clean drinking water (32%) and reducing infant mortality (31%).
Across the EU, Sub-Saharan Africa stands out in most people’s minds as being in greatest need of aid (64%).
The European Commission statement released on the eve of the half way point for the MDGs goes out of its way to paint these findings as supporting current EU spending priorities.
In fact the finding that healthcare and social spending such as education dominate EU citizens priorities should force a rethink in how development funds are spent.
A rebalancing of expenditure, particularly those spent by the Commission, is necessary if European citizens wishes to prioritise health over infrastructure are to be respected.
