Getting development right: Results at the core of development cooperation
Af Søren Pind
Udviklingsminister, indlæg i “Europe´s World”, februar 2011
During the past decades, development assistance has been seen as mainly an act of solidarity, a moral imperative and even an entitlement. This approach is over.
Development assistance is an investment. It is about supporting our partners in creating tangible results, enabling ultimately developing countries to cope without development assistance.
It is about fighting poverty through inclusive economic growth and employment generation. And it is in our own interest in terms of stability and security.
But how do we get it right?
We need to change our understanding of development cooperation. In doing so, we need to address three fundamental issues. We need to analyze how development assistance can be used as a catalyst for genuine transformation.
We need to realize that development cooperation is political and in our own interest. And we need more effective and results oriented development cooperation based on ownership, transparency and accountability.
Development cooperation as a catalyst for transformation
FIRSTLY, in order to make a difference we need to continue striving at finding answers to the fundamental question “what moves societies forward”. We need to analyze why development assistance has failed as a catalyst for change in some countries and adjust accordingly. We need to constantly work on our ability to measure and document real results. We must know better what works and what does not.
To that end, I have recently launched a new international research program looking into the effects and outcomes of development cooperation.
We also need a much more frank and open debate about how to achieve tangible results through effective development cooperation. Our tax payers need to get engaged in the debate. I have therefore actively pursued a more broad debate on Denmark’s development cooperation with civil society, the private sector and research institutions.
The past 6 months, I have visited more than 30 Danish high schools and have had the unique opportunity to discuss Denmark’s global commitment with around 10.000 young Danes. As the first generation born in a globalised world, they demonstrate a strong interest in international affairs and development issues.
However, the knowledge of development cooperation – in Denmark as well in the EU – is often sketchy and to some extent influenced by myths. As minister for development cooperation, I am faced with a paradox, which an opinion poll recently made clear: While a huge majority of the Danish population is in favor of development assistance, only 38 per cent of the Danes think development assistance makes any difference.
Considering that development funds are under pressure, we must address this paradox. We need to demonstrate to our tax payers that our investments lead to results. And we need better documentation, communication and justification. This is also the case for the development assistance provided by the European Commission.
Development is in our own interest
SECONDLY, we need to recognize that development is in our own interest. Development is a precondition for lasting peace and stability, and security is a precondition for development.
Today’s challenges are global and they call for global answers. We have to combat extremism, terrorism, piracy, trafficking and migration. To do this we must support progress in terms of good governance, inclusive growth and employment.
The rise of extremism is more likely in countries characterized by serious democratic shortcomings, instability and unemployment. Effective and democratic governments, inclusive growth and employment are in the interest of the citizens in developing countries and fragile states – and in the interest of our own citizens!
Hence, the question is not should foreign policy, security policy and development policy go hand in hand. The question is how.
The Lisbon Treaty gives us stronger coordination mechanisms. There is a great potential we need to take advantage of. The creation of the EU’s External Action Service is a golden opportunity. A close cooperation between the Commissioner for development, the other Commissioners and the High Representative is key.
We all have a stake in making it happen: EU institutions and Member States. If we want a greater impact on the global scene, we must ensure that the EU is well organized and able to act in a timely manner. And internal processes must be kept lean and efficient, enabling the EU to speak with one strong voice.
The EU is fundamentally a freedom and peace project that grew out of war and totalitarianism and as such it is a role model for democratic and peaceful co-existence. It is based on values such as democracy, human rights and the free market. But they cannot be taken for granted. Therefore, we need to base our development cooperation on these values.
Results oriented development cooperation
Læs videre på
http://www.europesworld.org/NewEnglish/Home_old/CommunityPosts/tabid/809/PostID/2224/language/en-US/Default.aspx
Kilde: www.um.dk
