Views from developing nations particularly welcome Debate, Woodford Square, Trinidad & Tobago © D Percival
EU seeks public’s views on improving the impact of its development policy
The European Commission is to launch on 15 November a public consultation on improving the impact of its development policy. It wants to canvass views on how it can best support developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and beyond.
To start the debate rolling, a 21-page Green Paper on ‘EU development policy in support of inclusive growth and sustainable development and increasing the impact of EU development policy’ was published by the European Commission on 10 November. It discusses some of the EU’s current key policy instruments and policies towards developing countries.
The paper points out that whereas in the past decade economic growth has been robust, a great deal needs to be done and many developing countries risk lagging behind to recover from the negative impacts of the global economic and financial crisis.
The consultation aims to trigger public discussion in four main areas; the current impact of aid, partnerships for growth, how to bring about more inclusive growth and sustainable development and promotion of agriculture and food security.
At the same time, the EU wants to speed up its aid programmes in developing nations, provide better added value for aid, value for money and effectiveness in aid spending.
Individuals, organisations and countries are all invited to take part in the consultation which will run from 15 November 2010 to17 January 2011. The EU is particularly to keen to receive views from developing nations.
Based on the results of the consultation, the European Commission is expected to draw up proposals on the modernisation of its development policy and related policy initiatives in the second half of 2011, say EU officials.
To view the Green Paper and take part in the consultation: