"DEAR Study" launched

During the European Development Days the Final Report of the “Study on the Experience and the Main European Actors Active in the Field of Development Education and Awareness Raising” - in short, the DEAR-Study - was presented.

The study was commissioned and funded by the European Commission and carried out by a team of DEAR consultants. The objectives of the study were to obtain an overview and an analysis of the projects financed by the EC in the area of DEAR in the past 5 years (2004-2009), to obtain an overview and an analysis of the main actors and initiatives in the field of DEAR in the 27 Member States of the European Union, to identify possible options for improving the EC actions in the field of DEAR, based on the findings of the study and on consultations with stakeholders.

One of the main finding of the report is that the EC should become more proactive in this field of DEAR in order to provide added value. The study gives also some policy recommendations towards the European Commission for a more strategic approach to DEAR.

The recommended main objectives for the EC DEAR programme are formulated as: (a) to develop European citizens’ awareness and critical understanding of the interdependent world and of their own role, responsibilities and lifestyles in relation to a globalised society; and (b) to support their active engagement in local and global attempts to eradicate poverty and promote justice, human rights, and sustainable ways of living.

Five immediate objectives are elaborated: the development of coherence and coordination between various DEAR activities; improvements in learning and the sharing of learning; the further inclusion of multiple voices and perspectives from across the world into the operation of DEAR; the grants process; the operation of the EC’s own staff unit concerned with the support and promotion of DEAR.

The Annexes to the report provide additional and background information, particularly in relation to an analysis of EC supported projects, of major actors in DEAR, of Member State policies, and of approaches to DEAR across the European Unions.

The complete DEAR study can be read and downloaded here.

Source: DEAR Study; Information provided by Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG