"The fact that such a 'Charter for the Future' emerged from the grassroots is indeed a unique or at least rare process", Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel declared at the One World Forum for the Future. Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller had previously presented the Federal Chancellor with the "Charter for the Future".

The Charter, which sets goals for future development cooperation, is the result of a Germany-wide dialogue in which numerous citizens took part. The One World Forum marked the end of the dialogue process and is also the prelude to the implementation of the Charter for the Year for Development 2015.

The European Year for Development 2015 aims to inform citizens about the EU's and its member states' development cooperation, to involve them and to raise awareness of the benefits of development cooperation.

Adapting the Millennium Goals

In her speech, Merkel said that Germany would have to play a central role in adjusting the Millennium Development Goals. Although some important goals have already been achieved, "we cannot rest on our laurels", she said.

It is important to constantly adapt the goals to current developments. This also applies to the Millennium Development Goals. The Charter for the Future sends a clear signal in anticipation of the September 2015 UN Summit, where the Millennium Development Goals should be replaced by a new catalogue of goals.

Making the most out of the G7 presidency

Merkel sees the German G7 presidency next year as an opportunity to work towards the Post-2015 Agenda.

The so-called Post-2015 Agenda follows the Millennium Development Goals to end hunger and poverty.

Through a dynamic global partnership, the Chancellor hopes to achieve better living conditions, whether for seamstresses in Bangladesh or for the residents of megacities, who need clean water and better access to health services.

The problems must be clearly identified. For Merkel, it is clear that "Development is not really conceivable without functioning democratic institutions based on the rule of law".

Fighting poverty together

The instability of states is one of the main causes of poverty. "I am therefore convinced that the safeguarding of civil liberties and of basic and human rights in general is an essential feature of development and a condition for development. Or to put it differently: development is not really conceivable without functioning democratic institutions based on the rule of law", Merkel declared.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa illustrates how, in some cases, a single crisis can bring to nought years of development work. "Ebola also shows us that everything that happens today has a global dimension. This is why we can only master it through international efforts", the Chancellor said.

The same applies to issues such as the conservation of natural habitats, the development of healthcare, maternal health and the reduction of child mortality as well as dealing with ever-increasing urbanization.

A dynamic global partnership 

"Ultimately, the global partnership is only viable if each of us makes their small contribution to the global common good, in the fields of business, science, politics, and society. This reality is reflected in the Charter's motto: "One World - Our Responsibility", the Chancellor explained.

Development cooperation thrives on commitment, time and idealism. However, government action is also needed, the Chancellor stressed. "We have our obligations, and we still have a lot of work to do."

Apart from the Chancellor, numerous Federal Ministers were present at the One World Forum. Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Andrea Nahles, Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt, as well as Peter Altmaier, Head of the Federal Chancellery, and Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller participated in various round tables. Some 100 initiatives and participants from all over Germany came together at the "workshop for the future" and provided a platform for participation, thought and discussion.