The Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) announces training opportunities within the International Civilian Peace Keeping and Peace Building Training Program (IPT). IPT is a practically-oriented training program for experts of various professional background who work (or intend to work) as civilians in conflict regions – be it for international organizations like the UN or OSCE, or for governmental or non-governmental organizations. Participants come from all continents, as do trainers who are experts in their field with their own working experience in crisis regions.
Upcoming courses are:
Core Course: 28 September - 11 October 2008; Application Deadline: 1 August 2008
Women in Armed Conflict: 12 October - 24 October 2008; Application Deadline: 1 August 2008
Core Course: 1-14 March 2009; Application Deadline: 6 December 2008
Project Management: 15-27 March 2009; Application Deadline: 6 December 2008
Scholarships are available for applicants from non-OECD states.
For more information please visit: http://www.aspr.ac.at/ipt.htm
For further details please contact Silvia Polster, ASPR, ipt@aspr.ac.at
Information provided by Michael Lidauer, Austrian Study Centre for Peace & Conflict Resolution
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Development Assistance Operators from the EU New Member States
Many European Union New Member States (NMS) have recently shifted from being recipients of development assistance to a role of international donors. The conference "Development Assistance Operators from the EU New Member States: Experiences, Trends and Challenges" was one of the events of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union Council. It took place in Ljubljana from June 3 – 4, 2008 and was organised by the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), Centre for European Perspective (CEP), Foundation “TOGETHER” and International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF).The aim was to examine the need of NMS to (re)design their development assistance policies and to explore best practices of institutional arrangements for the assistance implementation. The conference agenda also included discussion on sector and geographic advantages of Development Assistance Operators from NMS and their greatest challenge to design development cooperation with developing countries, especially with the least developed ones.
For more information please visit: http://www.cef-see.org/oda.htm
Download the final conference report from: http://www.cef-see.org/oda/ODA_NMS_conference_final_report.pdf
Source: http://www.cef-see.org/oda.htm
Oct. 2-3, 2008: The Interface between Population, Environment and Poverty Alleviation, Lyon
Equilibres & Population (E&P), the host of this year’s EuroNGOs conference and AGM, and the EuroNGOs secretariat are pleased to invite you to the 2008 EuroNGOs conference on “The Interface between Population, Environment and Poverty Alleviation - Possibilities and challenges for SRHR advocacy (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) against the background of ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development) and the MDGs (Millennium Development Gaols )”, which will be held 2-3 October 2008 in Lyon, France.
The interest in environment and population issues is growing among donors, policy makers and the development cooperation community, and this interest could be an entry point for EuroNGOs members and partners to open up to and build alliances with other key development constituencies (especially environmental) advocating for the ICPD Programme of Action and the MDGs.
Hence, EuroNGOS conference 2008 will provide an overview of the current climate change and environment discussions in the framework of development policies and programming. It will focus on the respective challenges and opportunities for a rights-based European SRHR advocacy network, taking into mind that the linkages between population, poverty, the environment and climate change have already been made and the possibilites of mainstreaming climate change are already discussed among international as well as EU researchers and stakeholders.
Further information about the conference as well as a preliminary programme are available at http://www.eurongos.org/Default.aspx?ID=1571.
The deadline for registration is prolonged to: August 31, 2008
Information provided by Mirja Leibnitz, Coordinator EuroNGOs
The interest in environment and population issues is growing among donors, policy makers and the development cooperation community, and this interest could be an entry point for EuroNGOs members and partners to open up to and build alliances with other key development constituencies (especially environmental) advocating for the ICPD Programme of Action and the MDGs.
Hence, EuroNGOS conference 2008 will provide an overview of the current climate change and environment discussions in the framework of development policies and programming. It will focus on the respective challenges and opportunities for a rights-based European SRHR advocacy network, taking into mind that the linkages between population, poverty, the environment and climate change have already been made and the possibilites of mainstreaming climate change are already discussed among international as well as EU researchers and stakeholders.
Further information about the conference as well as a preliminary programme are available at http://www.eurongos.org/Default.aspx?ID=1571.
The deadline for registration is prolonged to: August 31, 2008
Information provided by Mirja Leibnitz, Coordinator EuroNGOs
Oct. 9-11, 2008: WIDE Conference ´Feminist Visions for a Just Europe´, The Hague
On 9 to 11 October, the WIDE (Women In Development Europe) Annual Conference 2008 entitled ´Feminist Visions for a Just Europe´ will take place in The Hague in the Netherlands.
This year´s conference will be hosted by WO=MEN, the Dutch Gender Platform, and is expected to convene at least 200 delegates representing the unique triangle of women living and working in the ´West, East and South´. Its general aim is to examine Europe´s role (and responsibilities) in the world, viewed through the lens of women´s rights and gender justice.
Each of the three conference days is structured to meet concrete goals:
Day 1: Feminisms in Europe Today Reflections
Day 2: Europe´s Role in the World through the Lens of Women´s Rights and Gender Justice Challenges and Opportunities
Day 3: Building a Feminist Future through a Just Europe Strategies and Alliances
For more information and the preliminary programme, please visit: http://www.wide-network.org/index.jsp?id=380
Read the latest WIDE newsletter with news from June at:
http://62.149.193.10/wide/download/2008_News_6.pdf?id=643
Source: http://www.wide-network.org/
This year´s conference will be hosted by WO=MEN, the Dutch Gender Platform, and is expected to convene at least 200 delegates representing the unique triangle of women living and working in the ´West, East and South´. Its general aim is to examine Europe´s role (and responsibilities) in the world, viewed through the lens of women´s rights and gender justice.
Each of the three conference days is structured to meet concrete goals:
Day 1: Feminisms in Europe Today Reflections
Day 2: Europe´s Role in the World through the Lens of Women´s Rights and Gender Justice Challenges and Opportunities
Day 3: Building a Feminist Future through a Just Europe Strategies and Alliances
For more information and the preliminary programme, please visit: http://www.wide-network.org/index.jsp?id=380
Read the latest WIDE newsletter with news from June at:
http://62.149.193.10/wide/download/2008_News_6.pdf?id=643
Source: http://www.wide-network.org/
Development Education Summer School 2008
76 participants, from 39 different countries met in Kontakt der Kontinenenten in the Netherlands, from June 22 to June 29, for the 10th edition of the Development Education Summer School.
This year, the Summer School has been co-organised by DEEEP (Development Education Exchange in Europe Project) and COS Netherlands, on the behalf of the Dutch Platform. Participants, together with the facilitators and candides reflected on “how to put global poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda, through development education, advocacy, campaigning”.
Participants were divided into working groups, according to their interests and experience: that’s why 5 working groups were set up. The issue was faced at local, national and European level. In addition to the working groups, participants could chose to follow some thematic sessions, presented by experts coming mainly from international organisations. Just like last year’s Summer School, participants could also attend Open Space and Audiovisual spaces, where they could present some documentaries, methodologies used, or simply network and share useful information.
In order to break the ice among participants, a cultural evening was also organised: with a glass of ouzo, or a piece of dried mango, or cheese from Latvia, meeting other participants was much more easy. Although fun has always been present during the entire week, participants have not only partied! They produced some interesting material with regards to the electoral process. For instance, working group 3, focusing on the European level, simulated a CONCORD Campaign for the next 2009 EU elections. The outcomes of all the working groups were presented the last day, during the last plenary session.
All the material is now available on DEEEP website www.deeep.org/summerschool2008.html.
The final evaluation and report of the summer school will also soon be available on the DEEEP website! For more information, contact Chiara Tripepi (DEEEP Information Officer): c.tripepi@deeep.org
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP Information Officer
This year, the Summer School has been co-organised by DEEEP (Development Education Exchange in Europe Project) and COS Netherlands, on the behalf of the Dutch Platform. Participants, together with the facilitators and candides reflected on “how to put global poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda, through development education, advocacy, campaigning”.
Participants were divided into working groups, according to their interests and experience: that’s why 5 working groups were set up. The issue was faced at local, national and European level. In addition to the working groups, participants could chose to follow some thematic sessions, presented by experts coming mainly from international organisations. Just like last year’s Summer School, participants could also attend Open Space and Audiovisual spaces, where they could present some documentaries, methodologies used, or simply network and share useful information.
In order to break the ice among participants, a cultural evening was also organised: with a glass of ouzo, or a piece of dried mango, or cheese from Latvia, meeting other participants was much more easy. Although fun has always been present during the entire week, participants have not only partied! They produced some interesting material with regards to the electoral process. For instance, working group 3, focusing on the European level, simulated a CONCORD Campaign for the next 2009 EU elections. The outcomes of all the working groups were presented the last day, during the last plenary session.
All the material is now available on DEEEP website www.deeep.org/summerschool2008.html.
The final evaluation and report of the summer school will also soon be available on the DEEEP website! For more information, contact Chiara Tripepi (DEEEP Information Officer): c.tripepi@deeep.org
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP Information Officer
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Nov. 4-9, 2008: UNITED Conference, Belgrade
UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 560 organisations. The next UNITED Conference, entitled "Europe under Construction: Imagine our Future without Hate!" will take place on November 4-9, 2008, near Belgrade. The deadline for nominations is 5 September 2008.
There are great challenges in front of all of us. Europe is an old continent with a past full of conflict, still in the process to define its identity and shape its future. The aim of the conference is to strengthen the anti-racist movement in Europe, particularly in the Balkans, and to promote solidarity among civil society organisations. The conference will bring together around 70 NGO participants from different social, national, religious or other minority background, and offers the possibility to share visions of European past, present and future in working groups, strategy building workshops, presentations, political cafes, panel discussions, intercultural activities and many other occassions.
All information on the main themes of the conference and the e-nomination form can be found on the website http://www.unitedagainstracism.org/
The conference is prepared by: Afro-Asian Community of Moldova (MD), Association of Recognized Refugees in Cyprus (CY), Civic Assistance Committee Refugees & Forced Migrants (RUS), Ethnicity Research Center (RS), MTP Oradea (RO), QUEERIA Center (RS), Master on Immigration Programme University of Venice (I) and UNITED for Intercultural Action; with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.
Source: UNITED E-NEWS 04/07/08
There are great challenges in front of all of us. Europe is an old continent with a past full of conflict, still in the process to define its identity and shape its future. The aim of the conference is to strengthen the anti-racist movement in Europe, particularly in the Balkans, and to promote solidarity among civil society organisations. The conference will bring together around 70 NGO participants from different social, national, religious or other minority background, and offers the possibility to share visions of European past, present and future in working groups, strategy building workshops, presentations, political cafes, panel discussions, intercultural activities and many other occassions.
All information on the main themes of the conference and the e-nomination form can be found on the website http://www.unitedagainstracism.org/
The conference is prepared by: Afro-Asian Community of Moldova (MD), Association of Recognized Refugees in Cyprus (CY), Civic Assistance Committee Refugees & Forced Migrants (RUS), Ethnicity Research Center (RS), MTP Oradea (RO), QUEERIA Center (RS), Master on Immigration Programme University of Venice (I) and UNITED for Intercultural Action; with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.
Source: UNITED E-NEWS 04/07/08
The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean
On 13 July 2008, President Nicholas Sarkozy of France hosted the Paris summit, at which the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean was launched.
Speaking in the European Parliament the following week, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner spoke of the summit as “a great moment placing the Mediterranean at the heart of the debate” and stressed the excellent involvement of all summit participants, reflecting the need to “tackle common challenges together”. The commissioner talked about the importance of the commitments taken during the summit, which would contribute to peace, environmental conservation, energy security and employment, among other aspects.
French foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who also spoke before the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament, said that the Union would build on the strong base the EU has already, thanks to the Barcelona process. He also talked about the importance of bringing in new ways of funding the multinational projects that will take place, and stressed the hope that is felt in relation to the region, as demonstrated by the solidarity and cooperation of the North and South sides of the Mediterranean Sea in the Union project.
The Union for the Mediterranean, an extension of the already existing but commonly regarded unsatisfactory Barcelona process, has focused renewed attention on the region. Plans include a co-presidency, high level meeting every two years, a secretariat to work on project administration, a permanent committee in Brussels, and large high profile projects that can easily be explained to European and Mediterranean citizens.
Human rights organisations have appealed to the heads of state and government who attended the launch not to be led purely by economic interests, but to take human rights violations committed by those in the Union into account. The three organisations claim the emphasis on economic projects “seriously misunderstands the aspirations of the people of the region who yearn for development as much as they yearn for the enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms they are denied.”
Links:
Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean: http://www.ue2008.fr/webdav/site/PFUE/shared/import/0713_declaration_de_paris/Joint_declaration_of_the_Paris_summit_for_the_Mediterranean-EN.pdf
Call on heads of states of the EU: http://www.euromedrights.net/pages/511/news/focus/57222
Information provided by Rebecca Steel, TRIALOG
Speaking in the European Parliament the following week, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner spoke of the summit as “a great moment placing the Mediterranean at the heart of the debate” and stressed the excellent involvement of all summit participants, reflecting the need to “tackle common challenges together”. The commissioner talked about the importance of the commitments taken during the summit, which would contribute to peace, environmental conservation, energy security and employment, among other aspects.
French foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who also spoke before the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament, said that the Union would build on the strong base the EU has already, thanks to the Barcelona process. He also talked about the importance of bringing in new ways of funding the multinational projects that will take place, and stressed the hope that is felt in relation to the region, as demonstrated by the solidarity and cooperation of the North and South sides of the Mediterranean Sea in the Union project.
The Union for the Mediterranean, an extension of the already existing but commonly regarded unsatisfactory Barcelona process, has focused renewed attention on the region. Plans include a co-presidency, high level meeting every two years, a secretariat to work on project administration, a permanent committee in Brussels, and large high profile projects that can easily be explained to European and Mediterranean citizens.
Human rights organisations have appealed to the heads of state and government who attended the launch not to be led purely by economic interests, but to take human rights violations committed by those in the Union into account. The three organisations claim the emphasis on economic projects “seriously misunderstands the aspirations of the people of the region who yearn for development as much as they yearn for the enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms they are denied.”
Links:
Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean: http://www.ue2008.fr/webdav/site/PFUE/shared/import/0713_declaration_de_paris/Joint_declaration_of_the_Paris_summit_for_the_Mediterranean-EN.pdf
Call on heads of states of the EU: http://www.euromedrights.net/pages/511/news/focus/57222
Information provided by Rebecca Steel, TRIALOG
Latest CONCORD and DEEEP newsletters
June is traditionally a very busy month for CONCORD. This year, the focus has been on the agenda to meet the Development Goals, the brain drain from the developing countries, the assessment of the Financial Regulation, the future of the European budget, the Development Education Summer School and CONCORD’s first General Assembly of the year.
Read more and download the CONCORD Flash Nr. 53 of June 2008 from:
http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=10065
Download the latest issue of the Development Education (DE) Times (Nr. 8; June/July 2008) from: http://www.deeep.org/detimes.html
The content includes information on the June DE Summer School in the Netherlands, the Development education Forum spring meeting, the Ljubljana Conference on Inter-cultural dialogue and development education, the switch in the EU Presidency etc. The DE Times is published by DEEEP, the Development Education Exchange in Europe Project.
Sources: http://www.concordeurope.org and information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP
Read more and download the CONCORD Flash Nr. 53 of June 2008 from:
http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=10065
Download the latest issue of the Development Education (DE) Times (Nr. 8; June/July 2008) from: http://www.deeep.org/detimes.html
The content includes information on the June DE Summer School in the Netherlands, the Development education Forum spring meeting, the Ljubljana Conference on Inter-cultural dialogue and development education, the switch in the EU Presidency etc. The DE Times is published by DEEEP, the Development Education Exchange in Europe Project.
Sources: http://www.concordeurope.org and information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP
Nov. 9-22, 2008: Students Workshop on Peace, Religion and Media; Iran
The First Students Workshop on Peace, Religion and Media will be held in Iran, from November 9th to 22nd, 2008 simultaneously with The Second International Conference on Religion and Media. It will provide a unique opportunity in a friendly environment for the young participants to explore the complicated relationship between religion and media and to enhance their knowledge and skills in redirecting the power of this relationship towards the positive aim of building a culture of peace.
Invited are young journalists, film and media activists, NGO workers, peace and human rights activists, community leaders and researchers who have at least a bachelor degree in related fields to apply for the workshop. All costs of the program in Iran (accommodation, food, local transport, etc) will be covered for participants but they are responsible for their own airfare.
Further information can be found at: http://www.religion-media.com/workshop.htm
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP Information Officer and Mahdiye Tavakol, IRIB University, Tehran
Invited are young journalists, film and media activists, NGO workers, peace and human rights activists, community leaders and researchers who have at least a bachelor degree in related fields to apply for the workshop. All costs of the program in Iran (accommodation, food, local transport, etc) will be covered for participants but they are responsible for their own airfare.
Further information can be found at: http://www.religion-media.com/workshop.htm
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP Information Officer and Mahdiye Tavakol, IRIB University, Tehran
Monday, 21 July 2008
EADI General Conference: Reports of sessions
500 participants and speakers attended the 12th EADI General Conference on “Global Governance and Sustainable Development” from 24 to 28 June 2008 in Geneva.
Reports of the sessions and interviews are available on the conference blog at http://www.gc2008.net/blog
Source: EADI e-newsletter #3-2008 (July)
Reports of the sessions and interviews are available on the conference blog at http://www.gc2008.net/blog
Source: EADI e-newsletter #3-2008 (July)
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Exploring the effectiveness of civil society organisations
On 29 and 30 June 2008, over 70 representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs) from all around the world met in Paris to discuss how to take forward a process through which they will take up the challenges to their effectiveness as development actors. The meeting was called by an interim Global Facilitation Group and organised by CONCORD together with its partner organisations.
The meeting was the first global gathering of the process and an opportunity for a wide range of CSO representatives to give their inputs and to develop a shared vision for the process. They, inter alia, agreed on the composition of the Global Facilitation Group – the body that will facilitate, represent and oversee the process up to December 2010 - as well as on some key guidance deemed crucial in attaining the expected results (among other things an agreement on common principles regarding CSO effectiveness).
The meeting is the first tangible result of a process that had been agreed by a number of CSO representatives during informal talks at the Ottawa International Forum on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness in February this year. There, in a context of increasing pressure from official donors on CSOs to sign-up to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, they resolved to launch a global CSO-driven process towards agreeing on their own principles of effectiveness. Earlier, CSOs have welcomed the intention of signatories to the Paris Declaration to improve their effectiveness, but stated that the Declaration and its principles are not applicable as such to them.
The report of the meeting and a progress report that summarises the ambitions and cornerstones of the process will be available soon. A workshop to share the outcomes of Paris and discuss the process will be held during the CSO Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra (31 August – 1 September). CSO effectiveness will also be on the agenda of the subsequent Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (also to be held in Accra), in particular in round table number six of this event (“Role of Civil Society in Advancing Aid Effectiveness”).
For further information: http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=11872 or contact Franz Josef Berger: cso-eff@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
The meeting was the first global gathering of the process and an opportunity for a wide range of CSO representatives to give their inputs and to develop a shared vision for the process. They, inter alia, agreed on the composition of the Global Facilitation Group – the body that will facilitate, represent and oversee the process up to December 2010 - as well as on some key guidance deemed crucial in attaining the expected results (among other things an agreement on common principles regarding CSO effectiveness).
The meeting is the first tangible result of a process that had been agreed by a number of CSO representatives during informal talks at the Ottawa International Forum on Civil Society and Aid Effectiveness in February this year. There, in a context of increasing pressure from official donors on CSOs to sign-up to the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, they resolved to launch a global CSO-driven process towards agreeing on their own principles of effectiveness. Earlier, CSOs have welcomed the intention of signatories to the Paris Declaration to improve their effectiveness, but stated that the Declaration and its principles are not applicable as such to them.
The report of the meeting and a progress report that summarises the ambitions and cornerstones of the process will be available soon. A workshop to share the outcomes of Paris and discuss the process will be held during the CSO Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra (31 August – 1 September). CSO effectiveness will also be on the agenda of the subsequent Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (also to be held in Accra), in particular in round table number six of this event (“Role of Civil Society in Advancing Aid Effectiveness”).
For further information: http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=11872 or contact Franz Josef Berger: cso-eff@concordeurope.org
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
European Blue Card risks increasing brain drain
By developing a so-called Blue Card, a system similar to the American Green Card, the European Union (EU) hopes to have found the solution for the growing shortage of highly skilled employees on the European labour market. The Blue Card will make it easier for highly skilled people from third countries, among which developing countries, to come to Europe for employment purposes. With the current Blue Card proposal, the EU risks to increase brain drain in essential development sectors such as education and health. The proposal therefore clashes with the objectives of the EU’s development policy.
The EU Coherence Programme, a joint initiative of the Evert Vermeer Fou
ndation and CONCORD, finds it important that, before the Blue Card becomes effective, the EU takes a closer look at the possible negative consequences of highly skilled migration for the countries of origin.
Of course everybody has the right to migrate. Moreover, migration can have a positive impact on development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – especially when migrants return to their home countries with new skills and experience. Developing countries are however already suffering from a lack of highly skilled professionals in important development sectors. This labour shortage is a major obstacle for the achievement of the MDGs, one of the priorities of the EU’s development policy. The Blue Card proposal must therefore include stronger safeguards and guarantees in order to prevent brain drain.
In a new case study, focussing on the coherence between the EU’s migration and development policies, in relation to the Blue Card proposal specifically, the EU Coherence Programme highlights existing incoherencies and suggests several changes to the proposal, that are necessary to enhance coherence between the Blue Card proposal and the EU’s development objectives:
The EU Coherence Programme stresses the need for an effective code of conduct on ethical recruitment, in order to prevent active recruitment in developing countries in sectors suffering from a lack of human resources. This is especially necessary for the health sector. The code of conduct should be legally binding and include the practices of the private sector.
Furthermore, the EU Coherence Programme states the EU should provide adequate assistance to developing countries in order to address the internal push factors for migration. Also, the EU should provide concrete measures to stimulate (permanent) return of Blue Card holders, in order to prevent the negative impact on the source countries. If the EU attracts workers whose educations have been provided for by their home countries, countries of origin should be appropriately compensated for this provision of skills. Finally, the EU Coherence Programme states that the EU should encourage its Member States to strengthen their own national workforce policies, in order to become less dependent on foreign workers from third countries.
On Monday 23 June, the EU Coherence Programme organised an expert meeting on the possible impact – positive and negative – of the Blue Card proposal on developing countries. During this expert meeting, migration and development experts from the EU and developing countries discussed the proposal and tried to find solutions for the issues outlined above.
Linkt to the case study:
http://www.eucoherence.org/renderer.do/clearState/false/menuId/313375/returnPage/313375/itemId/508835/instanceId/313389/pageId/313375/
For futher information: eboonstra@evertvermeer.nl, http://www.eucoherence.org/
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
The EU Coherence Programme, a joint initiative of the Evert Vermeer Fou
ndation and CONCORD, finds it important that, before the Blue Card becomes effective, the EU takes a closer look at the possible negative consequences of highly skilled migration for the countries of origin.Of course everybody has the right to migrate. Moreover, migration can have a positive impact on development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – especially when migrants return to their home countries with new skills and experience. Developing countries are however already suffering from a lack of highly skilled professionals in important development sectors. This labour shortage is a major obstacle for the achievement of the MDGs, one of the priorities of the EU’s development policy. The Blue Card proposal must therefore include stronger safeguards and guarantees in order to prevent brain drain.
In a new case study, focussing on the coherence between the EU’s migration and development policies, in relation to the Blue Card proposal specifically, the EU Coherence Programme highlights existing incoherencies and suggests several changes to the proposal, that are necessary to enhance coherence between the Blue Card proposal and the EU’s development objectives:
The EU Coherence Programme stresses the need for an effective code of conduct on ethical recruitment, in order to prevent active recruitment in developing countries in sectors suffering from a lack of human resources. This is especially necessary for the health sector. The code of conduct should be legally binding and include the practices of the private sector.
Furthermore, the EU Coherence Programme states the EU should provide adequate assistance to developing countries in order to address the internal push factors for migration. Also, the EU should provide concrete measures to stimulate (permanent) return of Blue Card holders, in order to prevent the negative impact on the source countries. If the EU attracts workers whose educations have been provided for by their home countries, countries of origin should be appropriately compensated for this provision of skills. Finally, the EU Coherence Programme states that the EU should encourage its Member States to strengthen their own national workforce policies, in order to become less dependent on foreign workers from third countries.
On Monday 23 June, the EU Coherence Programme organised an expert meeting on the possible impact – positive and negative – of the Blue Card proposal on developing countries. During this expert meeting, migration and development experts from the EU and developing countries discussed the proposal and tried to find solutions for the issues outlined above.
Linkt to the case study:
http://www.eucoherence.org/renderer.do/clearState/false/menuId/313375/returnPage/313375/itemId/508835/instanceId/313389/pageId/313375/
For futher information: eboonstra@evertvermeer.nl, http://www.eucoherence.org/
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
European Consensus on Development available in EU languages
The “European Consensus on Development: the contribution of Development Education & Awareness Raising” is now available in most EU languages on the website of DG Development (DG DEV) of the European Commission.
Download your language version from:
http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/publication/descript/pub99_fr.cfm
Information provided by Sam Biesemans, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Download your language version from:
http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/publication/descript/pub99_fr.cfm
Information provided by Sam Biesemans, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thursday, 10 July 2008
European NGOs condemn putting aid at the service of immigration control
While European and G8 countries are failing to deliver on their international aid commitments, European Development NGOs are deeply concerned about linking immigration control and development cooperation.
On 7 and 8 July 2008, the French Presidency presented a draft European pact on immigration and asylum to its partners at the informal meeting of Justice and home affairs Ministers in Cannes. This draft Pact suggests migration should become an important element in all External Relations of the Member States. It invites Member States to conclude agreements with countries of origin or transit on migration and development.
“These agreements, which bring the fight against illegal immigration and development under the same framework, have allowed France and a few other OECD members to use aid to put pressure on developing countries when negotiating tough readmission agreements. Generalising this negotiation tactic at European level could be very damaging for developing countries” explains Vice-Chair of Coordination SUD, the French national NGO platform, responsible for European issues.
“Linking development policies and migration presents clear risks of undermining the focus on the eradication of poverty and inequalities in the poorest countries. Europe cannot tie the allocation of aid to developing countries to progress on legal or illegal migration and readmission. Whilst European Member States may sign agreements on migration with third countries, these should not become conditions for development cooperation” says Olivier Consolo, Director of CONCORD, the European confederation of relief and development NGOs.
European Development NGOs call for aid programs to retain poverty eradication and sustainable development as primary objectives, in line with the European Consensus on Development and the Maastricht Treaty. While many countries of origin for migration flows are currently suffering from food shortage, European aid must support essential social services, agricultural development and poverty eradication rather than the capacity of these countries to control their potential migrants. Aid must not be retargeted on the fight against “illegal immigration” in countries of origin and transit.
Contact: Melis Alguadis melis.alguadis@concordeurope.org
Further reading:
CONCORD Aidwatch report and press release on the reality of the aid delivered by the European Union and its Member States: 5-2008: http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/extranetdocumentsENG/NavigationSecondaire/WorkingGroups/Aidwatch/Aidwatch2008/Light-Full-report.pdf; http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/internetdocumentsENG/5_Press/1_Press_releases/0_Press_release_2008/22-5Final-AidWatch-Press-Release-2008.doc
Official results of the informal meeting of the justice and home affairs ministers - French Presidency website : http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/lang/en/accueil/PFUE-07_2008/PFUE-07.07.2008/informelle_des_ministres_charges_de_la_justice_et_des_affaires_interieures
Pictures about migration on: http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=137
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
On 7 and 8 July 2008, the French Presidency presented a draft European pact on immigration and asylum to its partners at the informal meeting of Justice and home affairs Ministers in Cannes. This draft Pact suggests migration should become an important element in all External Relations of the Member States. It invites Member States to conclude agreements with countries of origin or transit on migration and development.
“These agreements, which bring the fight against illegal immigration and development under the same framework, have allowed France and a few other OECD members to use aid to put pressure on developing countries when negotiating tough readmission agreements. Generalising this negotiation tactic at European level could be very damaging for developing countries” explains Vice-Chair of Coordination SUD, the French national NGO platform, responsible for European issues.
“Linking development policies and migration presents clear risks of undermining the focus on the eradication of poverty and inequalities in the poorest countries. Europe cannot tie the allocation of aid to developing countries to progress on legal or illegal migration and readmission. Whilst European Member States may sign agreements on migration with third countries, these should not become conditions for development cooperation” says Olivier Consolo, Director of CONCORD, the European confederation of relief and development NGOs.
European Development NGOs call for aid programs to retain poverty eradication and sustainable development as primary objectives, in line with the European Consensus on Development and the Maastricht Treaty. While many countries of origin for migration flows are currently suffering from food shortage, European aid must support essential social services, agricultural development and poverty eradication rather than the capacity of these countries to control their potential migrants. Aid must not be retargeted on the fight against “illegal immigration” in countries of origin and transit.
Contact: Melis Alguadis melis.alguadis@concordeurope.org
Further reading:
CONCORD Aidwatch report and press release on the reality of the aid delivered by the European Union and its Member States: 5-2008: http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/extranetdocumentsENG/NavigationSecondaire/WorkingGroups/Aidwatch/Aidwatch2008/Light-Full-report.pdf; http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/internetdocumentsENG/5_Press/1_Press_releases/0_Press_release_2008/22-5Final-AidWatch-Press-Release-2008.doc
Official results of the informal meeting of the justice and home affairs ministers - French Presidency website : http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/lang/en/accueil/PFUE-07_2008/PFUE-07.07.2008/informelle_des_ministres_charges_de_la_justice_et_des_affaires_interieures
Pictures about migration on: http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=137
Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD
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