Paris, 14 October 2008 – Marina Ponti, the UN Millennium Campaign’s Director for Europe, participated this morning in the official launch of the French Campaign on the MDGs. The event, hosted by the Parliament at the French National Assembly, gathered representatives of public administration, civil society and the public at large.

Marina Ponti was invited to discuss the UN Millennium Campaign and to share insights on how to better communicate and inform public opinion on the MDGs. During her presentation, Mrs. Ponti highlighted elements which are at the heart of a successful campaign, including the role of actors active in the MDGs debate, as well as the role of non-traditional actors who can have a tremendous impact on public opinion.

The main discussion revolved around the issues areas of trade and agriculture; in this context, the Deputy Director of the Millennium Campaign invited the French government, as well as the governments of other European countries, to move forward with unilateral discussions as the revival of a Doha Round is no longer foreseeable. Mrs. Ponti acknowledged that rich countries can continue striving for the protection of their own small farmers and that of the environment, but this should not be done to the detriment of farmers in poor countries. The existing high trade barriers and agricultural subsidies hinder full market access for poor countries and make it difficult for poor farmers to compete even in their own markets.

The event at the French Parliament also offered an opportunity to announce the forthcoming opening of a national UN Millennium Campaign in France.