BRUSSELS, Belgium.
On February 19, 2014, a panel discussion on challenges and priorities of European policy on Cooperation for Development was held at the European Parliament. The Parliamentary Group of Socialists and Democrats organized it. In this context, Mercedes Ruiz -Giménez Aguilar, president of the Coordinator NGO-Spain made an interesting presentation that analyzed the current situation of European policies for development.
We publish a summary of this contribution because of the implications these policies have on the cooperative work undertaken by many NGOs in different areas of the world, and lately they have been affected by significant cuts in funding.
The Presentation
The European Union and its Member States are the largest donor worldwide (together they provide more than 50% of global Official Development Assistance, or ODA) and, more importantly, it is the only donor that includes the Coherence of Policy for Development as legal rules that require that all EU policies take into account the international development goals.
The rapid changes in the international scene and the crisis in Europe threaten the European cooperation policy, but is also an opportunity for the EU to play a new leadership role in the international arena for the construction of a more just and equitable world based on respect for human rights, protection of global public goods, and the centrality of people.
The presentation highlighted what she considers a three major challenges for European policy on cooperation for development, to be considered at the next EP elections:
• Promote a Europe of the people, more just inside and outside its borders. Economic justice and fairness and equal rights
• Defend and strengthen public policy and development cooperation, and humanitarian aid, more coordinated among all countries and renewed under the new agenda post 2015
• Situate the Coherence Policy at the center of the international agenda
1. EUROPE OF THE PEOPLE, MORE JUST INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ITS BORDERS. Economic justice and fairness and equal rights
Almost a year is left for the international community to reduce poverty significantly by 2015. After fifteen years many of the goals will not only be achieved and inequality has soared in most countries.
Half of the world's income is held by the richest 1% of the population, while the poorest half of the world population has the same wealth as the 85 richest people in the world. Seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequality has increased in the last 30 years.
This obscene concentration of wealth threatens the building of inclusive and stable societies. Inequality, which is also growing in our context, is undermining the foundations of the European project
The first step is to understand that the fight against inequality and poverty must be global struggles, and it is essential to invest in a development model focused on human rights, if we really want to reverse inequalities and end poverty everywhere.
Secondly, we must understand that the concentration of wealth is accompanied by a concentration of economic power in the hands of politicians, which is also endangering democracy. ‘The extreme concentration of wealth corrodes institutions so that governments fail to seek the welfare of its citizens and happen to serve the interests of a wealthy minority.’
Inequality has an economic dimension in the unequal distribution of wealth, but it also has a political dimension that results in the progressive loss of rights by citizens. In recent years we have seen that the cultural, social and gender rights, especially of citizen participation, have been progressively limited.
2. DEFENSE OF PUBLIC POLICY FOR COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEW AGENDA POST 2015
In a world like today's, being increasingly interdependent, the issues managed by one group alone are unfeasible. Global goods such as the environment, peace or one nations’ development depend on the ability of States to build consensus and make commitments internationally. Showing leadership and acting as a responsible global player is the best presentation in the international sphere. And in this, the cooperation policy can play a key role.
Therefore, in times of change and crisis it is more necessary than ever to claim the effect of political cooperation as an essential instrument for political dialogue, to promote equitable development that can eradicate poverty and reverse the growth of global inequality. This requires promoting a global partnership for governance based on interdependence among all peoples of the world, ranging from respect of human rights to gender equity and diversity. The cooperation for development policy, which has been a hallmark of European foreign policy, should be part of the drive to build a Global Partnership for addressing global governance to respond to the great challenges we have.
International cooperation is not just for good times. It is a commitment to consistency, both ethical and moral. Thus, the member countries and the EU are to maintain their international commitments to development aid and listen to the voices of the citizens.
ODA will continue to be necessary as long as there are millions of people who don’t have the most basic needs covered and until there is an international tax system that ensures a global redistribution of wealth. Despite this evidence, the new aid budget of the EU for 2014-2020 may be affected, arguing the crisis, cuts or changes that will affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the world living in extreme poverty.
Member States and the European Parliament are required to opt for a policy of cooperation and ensure the necessary funding for implementation, fulfilling the commitment of 0.7% and looking for additional resources to meet growing global challenges.
The Communication from the Commission sets out three priorities for EU assistance:
- Intensify efforts to promote an enabling environment for CSOs in partner countries.
- Protect the right to associate and secure funding, along with freedom of expression, access to information and participation in public life. The primary responsibility for ensuring these basic conditions rests with the State.
- Develop a structured and meaningful participation of CSOs in national policies of partner countries in the programming cycle of the EU and international processes.
- Increase the capacity of local CSOs to more effectively play their role as independent agents for development.
This requires that the EU be committed to promoting and maintaining a favorable environment for the full development of the participation of civil society in building, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of public policies. To promote the creation and strengthening of strategic alliances capable of influencing global policies regarding development issues with ability to transform and present alternatives to global problems.
The Agenda for Change also recognizes the role of other agents such as the private sector as an engine of development. It seems necessary at this point to indicate that the business sector is a major player when it generates decent employment development invests and innovates, strictly complies with tax obligations arising from the legal framework of the country where it operates, and produces goods and services within the limits of environmental sustainability.
The Agenda for Change recognizes the importance of advancing gender equality, empowerment and opportunities for women as an essential element in development policies. We cannot forget that three-quarters of the world 's poorest people are women and girls and virtually all forms of discrimination are still evident in the form of sexist behavior and laws.
The principles and priorities are clear but what is needed is the political will to provide the cooperation policy and the resources needed to implement the principles and consistency necessary to achieve real impact on the eradication of poverty and the reversal of the current process increasing inequalities globally.
3. POLICY COHERENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THE CENTER OF THE AGENDA
Cooperation based on the achievement of development assistance must have a broader view that places policy coherence it the center of the agenda and a more horizontal perspective to establish new relationships between partners to replace the traditional donor-recipient relationship for more consistency with the principle of "differentiated responsibilities and global problems.”
The new Post 2015 AGENDA should incorporate alternative proposals and demands of citizens committed to the global problems we face today. We must respond to the demands from the interests and challenges of impoverished populations and not from the geostrategic and economic interests of donor countries, the capital and the powerful who rule the world today. It is urgent to stop the destruction of human lives as a result of repressive and inhumane immigration policies that are making the Mediterranean a cemetery. Since the 90s, 9,000 people have been officially killed, although it is estimated that the figure may rise to 20,000.
The new European Parliament should:
- Implement mechanisms to promote legal migration and respect for human rights
Pay attention to the causes of migration, which include: Promote radical changes in the neoliberal trade policies that impede the development of local economies that promote endogenous sustainable development and strengthen development cooperation policies and Implement measures to combat illegal practices and violators of human rights and transnational corporations, among others, land grabbing or the production of biodiesel.
It should taken into account that promoting the principle of Policy Coherence for development also means that European policies in support of Education for Development favor strengthening INVOLVED GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. It is essential that the public takes ownership of development cooperation policy and commit to it.
From a presentation by Mercedes Ruiz-Giménez
Aguilar
President Coordinator of NGOD-Spain