1. Policy Coherence for Development (PCD)

2. EU Coherence Programme

3. Interest for National Platforms

4. Training and Lobby Opportunities

Training and Lobby opportunities for NGOs:

Coherence in the EU

• Coherence in the Treaties (Art 177 &178)• Council Conclusions May 2005

-12 PCD Commitments:

Trade, Environment, Climate Change, Security, Agriculture, Fisheries, Social dimension of globalisation (Employment, Decent work), Migration, Research and Innovation, Information Society, Transport, Energy

• European Commission: PCD Work Programme –

March 2006• European Commission: biennal PCD Report –

due October 2007

Definition of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD)

• "The systematic promotion of mutual reinforcement of policy actions across government departments and agencies, creating synergies so that the internationally agreed development goals can be achieved”.

This means that objectives of development policy must not be undermined or obstructed by actions or activities of government in other policy fields.

The EU Coherence Programme

Dutch Programme and European Programme

in short:• Identifying concrete examples of incoherent policy decisions

with regard to development policy• Showing how development countries are negatively affected

by a specific incoherent policy decision• Bringing together experts and policy makers• Formulating remedies: policy recommendations

A joint initiative of the Evert Vermeer Foundation and CONCORD

Example Dutch Programme: Weapon Trade

CASE STUDY:The Netherlands is investing by means of their Development Policy in Conflict Prevention. At the same time a strict Weapon Trade Policy should prevent weapons to be sold to conflict zones.

But, in practice, Weapons coming from so called ‘Friendly States’ (e.g. EU Countries or US) are subject to a less strict regime. While enabling a fast transfer of these shipments no control is executed whether these weapons might be on its way to a conflict area.

In practice the Dutch Weapon Trade Policy is incoherent with its Development Policy. By enabling the transfer of weapons from ‘friendly states’ into conflict zones the objective to prevent conflicts is put in danger.

How does the EU Coherence Programme work on this?

1. Write an incoherence case study.2. Activities (lobby letters, Newspaper articles,

etc) to bring the case study to the attention of policy makers, politicians and public.

3. Expert Meetings, debates with Stakeholders 4. Influence politicians to follow-up on

recommendations (meetings, lobby letters, preparing parliamentary questions, etc).

5. Monitoring Parliamentarians in promoting PCD.

Why could promoting PCD be of interest for National Platforms?

• Opportunity to raise awareness for Development in non-development areas

• Offer NGOs in your platform new tools to advocate development issues from the angle of coherence

• Opportunity to work in a new coalition or cooperation of NGO’s and to broaden your network

• Opportunity to influence national government in initial phase (Implementation of PCD obligations in EU Treaty into national law)

 

PCD PromotionApart from promoting PCD in the European Union and the Netherlands the EU Coherence Programme is currently broadening its scope to promote PCD in particular European Member States. PCD can only be promoted within Europe IF the promotion of PCD is on the agenda of all the European Member States!

The biennal PCD Report to be presented in October 2007 and showing all the efforts (or lack of) the Member States to enforce Policy Coherence for Development provides a perfect moment. We are therefore trying to link with NGO’s in European Member States to work on concrete case studies, training or PCD promotion in general.

EU Coherence ProgrammeTraining and Lobby offers to NGOs in

Member States

• Information sharing on case studies and/or PCD mechanisms

• Cooperation and/or joint lobby on specific case studies

• Advise on Advocacy & Institutions to enhance PCD • Training or Workshops:

- PCD in general- Advocacy in your own national (political) context- Evolution of national PCD mechanisms

Contact detailsEU Coherence Programme

Thijs WentinkPolicy Officer EU Coherence

twentink@evertvermeer.nlwww.eucoherence.org

P.O. Box 13101000 BH Amsterdam

The NetherlandsT: +31 (0)20 – 55 12 283F: +32 (0)20 – 55 12 250