Spain: Adriane Arpa

Full marks in aid for development but political coherence gets a D. Ariane Arpa, 43 year old general director of Intermòn Oxfam has no doubts: the socialist premier, Josè Luis Rodrìguez Zapatero has brought important changes to the Third sector, but he could have done much more. ?Especially because of his sensitivity to civil society issues?, explains Spain?s most influential social manager. The Ngo that she has been leadering since 2005 boasts an annual budget of 70 million euros and a staff of 2 thousand, 75% of whom are volunteers. No government can ignore these numbers, and Ariane has taken full advantage of them: two decisions that were fundamental in gaining support for the socialist leader ? the retreat of Spanish troupes from Iraq and the law regulating the arms trade ? are the fruit of Intermòn Oxfam?s tireless campaign. Lobbying victories that do not, however, prevent Ariane from tracing an imparcial balance of the socialist government.

What were the most important actions taken by Zapatero?s government?
The first and most symbolic: no sooner had he been elected that he changed the name of the Ministry of Foreign affairs to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, thereby creating a State secretary for development and allocating it a budget of 3,000 million euros. That is about 0.32% of the GDP, and this figure relates to 2006. The estimate for 2007, for which there are still no official data, lies around 0.37% for aid for development.

The Partido Popular accuses Zapatero of counting the debt cancellation for poor countries into the total figures for development aid??
That?s right. But the debt remission plan is well made, that is to say that it offers governments in debt the opportunity to exchange their debt for essential services. The real problem is a different one: the 0.37% of the GDP includes the commercial credits that Zapatero promised to eliminate in the development reform that was passed last year. A promise that he has claimed not to have kept for lack of time. Another important sign that the Third sector has received has been the ?Plan Africa?: Spanish development has traditionally focused on Latin American Countries, but now has Africa as its priority. A change of direction that is not, however, confirmed by foreign policy: Zapatero claims that Africa is a development priority, but then instead of setting up commercial agreements with African countries, the Caribbean and the Pacific, he takes on one of the most conservative positions in Europe regarding agricultural subsidies without attempting to fight dumping policies.

Is this what you mean when you say he lacks political coherence?
Not only. There is also the question of immigration: the Pp?s position is so rigid that in comparison the socialist immigration policy seems acceptable, but it isn?t. It restricts aid to controlling borders and sending clandestines back home.

What more could Zapatero have done?
Provide incentives to donate to the third sector. Today 0.7% of income tax can be donated to the Church or social ends, but not to development organisations nor directly. Only those ?ends? that the government chooses.

How has he dissapointed you?
Mary Robinson, when she was already UN Commissioner for human rights and honorary president for Oxfam International, asked me to go with her to talk to Zapatero about the problems of sugar farmers in Mozambique. Thousands of people squashed by dumping. The premier listened very carefully and then said: ok, but I will also have to speak to the beetroot growers in Leon. He was thinking of a handful of voters, and that is when I understood that our lobby campaign had a long way to go yet.

What social challenges does the new government face?
Along with Amnesty and Greenpeace three priorities have been identified: climate change, human rights for refugees and immigrants and a coherent development policy.

More info:
www.intermonoxfam.org/