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MINISTER SPEAKS ECONOMY
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Last Saturday our Minister of Development Co-operation, Koenders shared his vision on the future of development at an alumni event of the University of Amsterdam.
The policy of our Ministry is about to change, with a strong focus on creating jobs, economic growth, new effective partnerships, showing impact. Koenders speaks highly about the impact of Dutch interventions so far, against the opinion of the general public, but despite the many achievements... change is coming.
Education and public health are key, but in the end, governments must be able to pick up their own bill. Focus on job creation instead of basic education, business development instead of health programmes, investments and targets instead of expensive media campaigns. Koenders announces the end of funding NGO's and invites effective coalitions to apply, no matter where their head office is based. No more logo's!
The development sector will need to adapt rapidly in order to survive, so it seems. Butterfly Works recognizes this need for change and we are happy with the focus on new partnerships, developing taylormade solutions, business development and job creation.
Koenders defines five points of focus:
1. We can't eradicate poverty with development money, besides the fact that it is way too little, development alone doesn't work. Focus is needed, cutting up in too many projects is no longer acceptable. Development money should only be used as a "lever" and we should only invest in areas the market doesn't.
2. Since solely development doesn't work, we have to find cross-sector / effective partnerships including companies and unions. The focus has to lay on jobs, jobs and jobs. Towards a balanced economic growth.
3. Corruption is intollarable. And although sector support works (developing a complete chain), it should be done on clear and strict terms: budgets attached to targets.
4. The development industry needs to open up: new players will be invited to the sector and the ministry will partner more directly with organisations in developing countries. Effective partnerships will be rewarded.
5. Effectiveness is the only thing that counts. We have to do less ourselves, we have to develop taylormade solutions, we have to see and listen and duplicate successes. No more quantitative bureaucrazy but we have to stand for the impact of our interventions.
The whole lecture is available on http://www.minbuza.nl/nl/actueel/speeches,2008/11/koenders-moderniseert-is.html
It was a resourceful afternoon!