Discovering Europe
Viewpoints: Development Days 2009: Stockholm 22 to 24 October
The following text is a communication by the European Commission (Directorate-General for Development).
Gunilla Carlsson.
© SIDA
With the Swedish Presidency of the European Union fast approaching, Gunilla Carlsson, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation is already keen to set the Swedish priority areas during the Presidency within the area of development. Democracy building, policy coherence for development (PCD), aid effectiveness and climate changes are in focus. In the area of climate change, Gunilla Carlsson also chaired the International Commission on Climate and Development.
Corps: Issues within the field of development are expected to be highlighted during the Presidency since the biggest event of the entire 6 months will be European Development Days.
Within just a few editions, European Development Days has become a landmark event of the international agenda that hosts over 4,000 visitors representing 1,500 organisations and 125 countries worldwide. This year the overarching theme of the event will be Citizenship and Development with a special focus on Climate change and the Economic crisis. The event will take place at Stockholm International Fair from 22-24 of October.
Gunilla Carlsson underlines her strong belief in EU cooperation matters concerning development; “I firmly believe that one of the strongest contributions the EU can make to equitable and sustainable global development is to tap the full potential of the PCD agenda. The EU must make better and more coherent use of all its policies and instruments. All the pressing issues on the international agenda at the moment – e.g. the global economic recession, the climate change challenge, the food security issue – clearly confirm this need.”
Gunilla Carlsson also expresses her delight in welcoming people to European Development Days in Stockholm. The aim is to bring forth a discussion on what drives development and, in this financial crisis, how we can live up to aid commitments already made. European Development Days is a unique forum where big ideas meet. It is an open platform for debating global issues rather than negotiations behind closed doors. Everyone has a voice – campaigners and experts alongside parliamentarians and government ministers. Gunilla Carlsson highlights the importance of engaging with civil society, business and academia in these matters.
For info: www.eudevdays.eu
