Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rica – cooperating across continents

Structured dialogue with civil society fosters South-South cooperation. The potential for South-South cooperation took centre stage on 31 May 2011 at a public meeting held at the European Parliament on the theme ‘Organising Inclusive Ownership – The EU's Structured Dialogue to strengthen cooperation with Non State Actors in the South’.

Cooperation between Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rica was first put in motion by the Dutch government in 2006 and supported by Cordaid, a major Dutch development organisation. This now independently run venture was highlighted as a solid example of South-South cooperation to be replicated elsewhere. Meeting participants included Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, René Castro-Salazar, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives from the European Commission and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
 
“By working closely together we are able to tap into the diverse knowledge of each partner. We taught Costa Ricans the value of edible insects for fodder, while Costa Ricans helped us to introduce organic pineapple farming, which opened up new export markets for our small-scale farmers and generated much needed additional income,” said Mathias K. Pofagi, Director of ‘Partners’ in Benin.

The cooperation is based around four intertwined sustainable development pillars: economic development, social development, environmental protection and gender equity. For example, Bhutanese experts have also shared their knowledge on the cultivation of high value shiitake mushrooms with farmers in Costa Rica and Benin.

“The success formula of ‘Partners’ was independence from donors, emphasis on real reciprocity and equality between members and the participation not only of governments but also businesses and civil society, indigenous people, women, farmers and universities,” said Marianella Feoli, of the ‘Partners’ Secretariat and General Manager of the Costa Rican NGO, Fundecooperacion for Sustainable Development. The 36 projects under the ‘Partners’ programme have become self-sustaining after just three years.

It has enabled small-scale farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to share their experiences and expertise across continents and has created new services and jobs which in turn have generated additional income for poor people in the three participating countries.

Self-sustaining

“This has all been done without changing the legal framework. This sort of experience should not be wasted at the EU level,” Rene Castro-Salazar told meeting participants. 

The potential for South-South cooperation in a myriad of areas from culture to climate change was emphasised by participants, including Dutch MEP, Thijs Berman. Participants also stressed that such cooperation increases cost effectiveness, promotes the transfer of appropriate technologies and ensures local ownership, leadership and capacity building.

“Given the global character of today’s challenges it is time that the EU, as a leader in promoting aid effectiveness, supports South-South cooperation instead of just focusing on bilateral aid. South-South cooperation ensures that developing countries are equal partners in their own development and creates joint global responsibility for global problems,” said Mirjam van Reisen, Professor of International Social Responsibility at Tilburg University (NL) and Director of Europe External Policy Advisors (EEPA).

Dr Obadiah Mailafia, Chief of Staff at the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, echoed these views and drew attention to the recent high-level cooperation dialogue with Brazil, India and China initiated by the ACP Group.

Participants welcomed the newly created EU ‘Structured Dialogue’ with civil society, which aims at defining specific roles for all development actors and aligning strategies and programmes. Through this process the European Commission hopes to strengthen its partnership with civil society organisations and local authorities worldwide.

“South-South cooperation is meaningful and effective in terms of regional integration and unity in global negotiations. In relation to civil societies, the conventional North-South split is fast becoming meaningless after the ‘Arab Spring’”, said Mirjam van Riessen.

 “The EU should use the Structured Dialogue and its focus on ownership to implement policies that include all stakeholders in the identification of the most-promising development strategies,” said René Grotenhuis, Director of Cordaid. He added:  “Countries like the Netherlands, which have supported new approaches such as South-South cooperation early on, can have a leading role in this drive towards a more promising future of development cooperation.”

EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, is expected to launch a European Communication on the role of civil society in development in 2012.

South-South cooperation through a lens

Javier Campo has caught on camera both differences and similarities between Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rica in a recent photo exhibition in The Hague, the Netherlands,  to draw attention to the Benin-Bhutan-Costa Rican ‘Partners’ in South-South cooperation programme. Although each country has its own religious beliefs, rhythms, language history and traditions, they share challenges. The exhibition of 60 photographs puts over the divers landscapes and warmth of the people in all three countries.

Debra Percival