Coherence and Capacity Development

report with outcomes of this round table.

Presentations:

- Importance of Policy coherence for development (Marc Levy)

- Examples of Incoherence (Nina Jósefina Bąk)

- Challenges for Policy Coherence for Development (Romain Phillipe)

- Advocacy and Lobbying,  issue and power analyses,  nine steps for lobbying, policy influencing methods & lobby tactics (Huub Sloot, Else Boonstra)

Outcome:

In his presentation Marc Levy firstly described his organization ECDPM – independent foundation funded by Dutch Government and 9 others European Governments in Netherlands.

In the workshop was shown strong link between Policy Coherence and Capacity Development – one leading to another. It was indicated that only legal background for PCD in European Union is till now in fact the Maastricht Treaty. While first PCD report was created in May 2007. In 2009 new PCD Report is coming but it has not been agreed yet how much more coherent 12 policy areas should be. And, what may be even more important, how to effectively measure results of policy coherence development.

Question: “What is the main problem for developing countries?” was posed. Lack of capacity is not a deep thought, so should the answer be “limited use of capacity building”? And the capacity definition was presented as: The ability of people, organisations or/and society as a whole to manage their affairs successfully.

In speaker’s opinion the most important thing in capacity building is institutional and social change - getting the institutions rights and good governance. Those institutional and social changes have to be made properly. Most of the time, while discussing changes like this, there is no indication what changes particular changes should be made or made first. To make answer to this question easier the method of 4 steps was presented. The key findings are that certain qualities and elements are essential and that balanced approach is needed – change has to be made from “results-based” to “means-based” management.

The conclusion was that the investigation on every “capability” is oriented with a first list of questions which become then criteria for diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring taking in account that different stakeholders have different visions and strategies.

European Policy Examples of Incoherence

Nina Józefina Bąk also mentioned The Maastricht Treaty in her presentation, 3 goals for EU relationships with the South were mentioned: the sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries, smooth and gradual integration of those countries into the world economy and the campaign against poverty in the developing countries.

Nina presented Coherence as ensuring that the aims and objectives of EU development co-operation policy are not undermined by other EU policies which have an external impact.

In her presentation she gave many examples of incoherence, many of them connected to fisheries trade (anti-dumping Measures, Rules of Origin, environmental and labor standards and phytosanitary measures), export subsidies and agrofuels.

Polish Perspective on PCD

Ambassador Bielawski stressed that in PCD it is very difficult to achieve progress in so many fields, especially now when international situation is so challenging. Now, the main task is to adapt PCD to current situation. Multiplying discussions, panels and meetings can be confusing and not allow to go in one direction together. Ambassador indicated that PCD is very important matter but people who deal with it have to be very wise to make PCD effective.

Ambassador Andrzej Łupina indicated that in many cases countries and governments are setting norms that, in their opinion, should help the PCD but in fact this setting norms in not leading to a real debate. In Ambassador’s opinion norms are set by privileged European Union countries and the rest has to obey them.

Challenges for Policy Coherence for Development: CONCORD Position

Romain Philippe presented CONCORD’s (the European confederation of relief and development NGOs) work and perspective on Policy Coherence for Development. CONCORD’s members mission is work together to ensure that: The EU and member states are fully committed to, and implement, comprehensive and coherent policies that are based on the principles of human rights, gender equality, justice and democracy, which aim to address the causes of poverty, and which promote sustainable economic and social development and that The rights of citizens, directly and through organised civil society, to influence those representing them in governments and EU institutions are promoted and respected in Europe and throughout the world; and civil society organisations are fully responsible to those they serve and represent. The strategic aim is to influence the EU’s policies and practices so that they deliver practical improvements to the rights of poor and excluded people throughout the world.

Two EU progress reports on PCD were mentioned (second just released - 17 September 2009) and CONCORD report – Spotlight on Policy Coherence was introduced. In CONCORD’s report reasons for the lack of progress on PCD and recommendations for a new approach to PCD can be found as well as inter-linkages and interconnected impact of EU policies in five areas (climate change, trade, agriculture, migration and finance) and different experiences in implementing PCD at the national level (Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Sweden).

Recommendations to the EU included in the report were presented on the way forward towards an alternative EU approach to Policy Coherence for Development.

At the end CONCORD’s advocacy plan for 2010-2011 was presented for current Swedish and approaching Spanish presidency of the EU as well as for 3^rd EU progress report.

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See also:
News: Outcome and presentations Roundtable II - EU elections
Events: RT II - Prague