The purpose of the delegation is to ensure that pressing issues are discussed, particularly with a view to improving relations with the EU and vice versa. For a fuller understanding delegates often carry out fact finding missions to their delegation country |
Click HERE to access the Delegation Home page. |
The boxing day Tsunami had a devastating effect on many of the areas covered by Jean's Delegation. You can access her response to the events HERE |
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DELEGATION VISIT From 20 - 29 March 2005 Jean, as part of the Delegation visit, joined a small international group of MEPs on a fact-finding mission to Sri-Lanka and the Maldives. The visit included the Tsunami-stricken areas on the coast and several visits to hospitals and aid projects across the country. Jean also met with leading political figures The second leg of the journey was to the Maldives which has rapidly become the forgotten victim of the Tsunami. Here, no wall of water but a rising swell destroyed the islands. While relatively few people died, one third of the population have been severely affected and 4% of the population displaced. Jean Lambert pre visit quotes: "There is some positive news from the area. The Commission response was quick with a focus on shelter and restoration of livelihoods as well as the Safe Island Programme - designed to protect the population from the rising sea level by planting more trees and mangroves. Training has started in environmental awareness, encouraging community participation, decentralisation and democratisation. There has also been a derogation on the rules of origin to help the textiles industry. Particular priorities have been on Governance, gender and environment." "As part of South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation, I am especially interested to visit the region and find out, at first hand, the impact of last year's tragic tsunami and the huge efforts being undertaken by charities and NGOs across the Sri Lanka and the Maldives to help both countries take the first steps on the path to recovery." "In the Maldives we Constitutional reform is going ahead and is looking optimistic, with pro reform candidates standing this time." |
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Other SAARC Issues Amazons in Saris Film Screening Caste Discrimination Priority Written Question Written Declaration on the deaths of Sikh civilians in Panjaab and India in 1984 Joint Resolution on Bangladesh (13 April 2005) Joint Resolution on Nepal (23 Feb 2005)
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Jean is particularly worried about caste discrimination in the SAARC area and it is for this reason that she has promoted social inclusion through Parliamentary action and awareness raising. |
