The objective was to help the participants get a better understanding about relevant EU institutions and how to get involved with them in fulfilling the platforms’ tasks. The program included meetings with representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee, the Development Committee of the European Parliament, DG DevCo, DG Enlargement, and the Slovenian and Maltese Permanent Representations in Brussels, which increased the knowledge of the participants on the European development policy and on the advocacy role of development NGOs. A preparatory session was held, in the relaxing ambience of the park just across the Concord office, on the basics and good practices of lobbying and advocacy.
One of the main highlights of the visit was the meeting with DG Enlargement, Mr Henk Visser. The meeting not only provided an insight in the working of the EU institution, it was also informative and above all, inspirational.
Overall the study visit increased the participants’ understanding of EU development policies, with a focus on important issues such as the transition experience, Policy Coherence for Development (PCD), or the DEAR Study and provided useful contacts for them. Also, it emphasized the need for further strengthening of the policy/advocacy capacity of the represented platforms to engage more actively in development cooperation at the European level. The visit gave additional and practical information on the activities of TRIALOG, CONCORD, DEEEP and EUROSTEP.
As for concrete follow-up activities, the organizers will publish the report of the study visit. Participants will follow-up with the people met during the study visit and encourage platform members to become more active at the European level. The report of the study visit will be available shortly on the TRIALOG website.
Information provided by Max Zimani, SLOGA and Institute for Global Learning and Projects Development
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