Jean Van Wetter’s Post

In a world that moves full speed towards isolationism and polarisation, staying engaged becomes an act of courage. Why the EU should stay engaged in fragile contexts. A joint statement from our director and the chair of the management board of GIZ. #fragile contexts #european commission

🗣️In a joint article, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, Chair of the Board of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH , and Jean Van Wetter , CEO of Enabel , point out that international development organisations play an essential role in supporting fragile states. ❗Read the full article 👇 #WorkingBetterTogether #KnowledgeExchange #TeamEurope #StrongerTogether

Unpleasant Truths: European Development Policy Needs a Thourogh Revision Having spent a good part of my professional life in international cooperation and development policy, I became increasingly unsatisfied with the approaches, objectives, and (non-) results of those activities. I am still wondering why there is virtually no serious public debate on that policy field, given the fact that the EU and its member states together rank as the largest donors of global development aid—in hard money: the EU spends around 70 bn annually. In times of geopolitical competition with China, Russia and other nations, we can no longer afford a lack of efficiency and clear policy objectives. In my latest policy brief of the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, I developed a conceptual framework from a centre-right perspective to understand better what is going wrong and how to find new approaches. I start with three building blocks: - Limitation: Conservative and liberal thinking is characterized by deep mistrust, rejection of comprehensive solutions, and awareness of the limits of governance. Development policies are often led by overstretched objectives, resource waste, and persistent asymmetrical relations between donors and recipients. Subsidiarity: The principle of subsidiarity, central to Christian Democracy and the European Constitution, emphasizes local empowerment. However, current development often violates this by perpetuating dependencies. EU and national development policies need to be oriented towards clear subsidiarity principles. - Conditionality: Not remaining true to our values would invite accusations of double standards. Applying this criterion respects diverse socio-cultural development patterns, aligns with principles of limitation and subsidiarity, and ensures efficiency and sustainability through transparency and accountability, providing a safeguard against costly and detrimental engagements like those in Afghanistan and the Sahel. My conclusions are the following: - With rising populism and expected budget cuts, the "more is better" model must end. The established cooperation system has failed; it no longer serves European interests globally and contradicts Europe's intended more vital role in international relations. - A broader understanding of "sustainability" should replace the vague idea of "development". - Ethical implications and contradictions in current systems need open discussion, while political conditionality must remain to preserve Europe's credibility. - Real mutual interest includes accepting conditions and transparent limits of engagement. Save-the-world illusions have to go. Improved coordination between the EU and member states is needed. The added value of the EU's development efforts often needs to be clarified. Thanks also to Samuel C. for his valuable contributions. #EU #DevelopmentPolicy #GlobalSouth #Centreright #ChristianDemocracy https://lnkd.in/eeFS5tf4

My first thoughts on #EU´s commissioner candidates mission letters. The overall strategy from Ursula von der Leyen is not a surprise: #competitiveness and #security dominate the survival plan to keep Europe alive in global game. Me as #systemchange nerd, the strong systematic and #coherence approach was nice surprise. #wholeofgovernment and #wholeofsociety approaches, interlinkages between internal and external policies, #climate and #2030 Agenda & #sustainabledevelopmentgoals are at each commissioners ‘portfolio. #Democracy, #gender, dialogue with citizens and youth and #transparency are listed too in all mission letters. Five commissioners (high representative, international partnerships, preparedness & crisis, enlargement and  Mediterranean) will work with external affairs. Additionally new defence portfolio will influence in the whole positioning of EU in global area. During first 100 days we will see the first white paper of the future of European defence. And of course, the situation in #Ukraine, effects massively in all areas. EU wants to play a leading role in strengthening and updating #multilateralism and in reforming the international rules-based system. EU´s old geopolitical policy has turned to be called the new foreign economic policy which flagship is #globalgateway. Commissioner candidate Sikela´s task is to take it from start up to scale up, and faster the disbursements of funds. The rapidly changing political environment force EU to update almost all its strategies: new pact for #Mediterranean, EU #MiddleEast strategy, new impetus on cooperation with #Africa, new approach to #Sahel region, deepening engagement with #IndoPacific region, strengthening cooperation with #LatinAmerica and #Caribbean, take forward the partnership with #CentralAsia, multi-year support for #Palestine, reconstruction plan for #Gaza, #Gulf strategy and luckily the clear text on differentiated approach with #leastdeveloped and #middleincomecountries where all #humandevelopment is mostly needed. More coherence could be found in the humanitarian commissioner Lahbib´s letter where rightly #nexus is mentioned as commission-wide integrated approach to fragility, better humanitarian, development, peace and other policies. Also, the new aspect, civil preparedness has to pact on that and not at all forget #climate adaptation. Positive text can be found also from commissioner-designate for #democracy McGrath´s letter on building the #civilsociety platform to support more systemic dialogue and strengthen protection of civil society, activists and human rights defenders.   Generally, mission letters have many positive priorities for the EU in coming years. The big question is how the money will be shared between all commission priorities and strong focus to competitiveness and security is not promising very good for the whole world. 

We take a look at the European Commission’s leaked documents, which outlines its vision for the next 5 years. To nobody’s surprise, it appears as though the EU is planning to pursue a foreign aid agenda based on its own economic interests rather than prioritizing issues linked to global development. #Europe #EU #EC

🇪🇺 #EuropeDay, celebrated on May 9th, commemorates the 74th anniversary of the well-known #SchumanDeclaration. At that time, a new form of economic and political cooperation in #Europe was set in motion, making war between European nations inconceivable and allowing economic and social progress of the member countries, that today, amounts to 27 nations. On this anniversary, we recognize the invaluable contributions of the #EuropeanUnion to global development. As the world's leading donor of development funds, the EU plays a pivotal role in supporting many of our projects to improve millions of lives around the world, and towards the implementation of the 2030 agenda. #WeAreDTGlobal #EU #2030agenda

👏 Good news to start the week! 📍 The Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union (EU) agreed a joint declaration to elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnerships. The EU acknowledges Egypt as a reliable partner, as well as Egypt's unique and vital geo-strategic role as a pillar of security, moderation, and peace in the region of the Mediterranean, the Near East and Africa. These are the specific areas of cooperation between both parties: ▶ Political relations: Egypt and the EU will continue to work on their commitments to further promote democracy, fundamental freedoms, and human rights, gender equality and equal opportunities. ▶ Investments in multiple fields, including renewable energy and renewable hydrogen, advanced industrialization, agriculture, food security, connectivity and digitalization, water security and water management. ▶ Trade cooperation, to fully implement and unleash the full potential of the Free Trade Area of the Association Agreement. ▶ Water issues: Guided by the shared vision for a more sustainable management of water resources and tackling the challenges posed by water management in the context of a growing population, competing water demands, and a changing climate, Egypt and the EU agree on areas of cooperation on bilateral, regional, and international levels in the water domain. ▶ Migration and mobility: Egypt and the EU adopted a holistic approach to migration governance, including legal migration pathways, and mobility schemes, tackling the root causes of irregular migration, combating smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, strengthening border management, and ensuring dignified and sustainable return and reintegration. ▶ Security: The EU and Egypt agreed on the need to deepen their cooperation, through the Counter-terrorism Dialogue, and strengthen it in the field of preventing and countering security threats and challenges, including cybersecurity threats. Egypt and the EU will further explore cooperation in the field of law enforcement, serious and organized crime, and training and capacity building. ▶ Demography and Human Capital: Matching skills and labor market needs, including through labor mobility, seasonal worker schemes and continued support for the socio-economic reintegration of Egyptian returnees in Egypt.

As we mark Europe Day this May 9th, we reflect with pride on our role in advancing the European Union's strategic goals and values, especially within the realm of Good Governance. At DT Global and DT Institute, we are honored to collaborate, albeit indirectly, with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). Our Governance team, highly educated in EU policies and Governance, ensures that every project we undertake is perfectly aligned with the fundamental principles of the European Union, and updated against Geopolitical and Strategic Priorities. Our work as service providers goes beyond mere project implementation; it is about carrying the torch of European values to every corner of our engagement. Through our dedication to excellence and adherence to EU standards, we help manifest the principles of democracy, transparency, and equality—core to the EU’s mission—across diverse geopolitical landscapes. On this significant day, let us reaffirm our commitment to these ideals, recognizing the profound influence they have not only within our borders but around the globe. Happy Europe Day to all our partners and stakeholders. Let us continue to strive together for a united and prosperous Europe.

The European Week of Regions and Cities is a vital platform for fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to address common challenges and celebrate the achievements of EU cohesion policy. This initiative plays a crucial role in promoting balanced development across regions, supporting millions of citizens, and enhancing resilience in the face of recent crises. It's a testament to the EU's commitment to reducing disparities and building a more cohesive Europe. https://lnkd.in/dt6hbRM7

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul Attends 2024 Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum (GEEF) on March 14 , 2024. 1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul attended the 6th Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum (GEEF) co-hosted by the Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment at Yonsei University, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future, and the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens on March 14 under the theme of “Reboot the SDGs, Reset Our Future.” 2. This forum was held to discuss ways for international cooperation to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid the deepening global polycrisis. It brought together 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, 11th Federal President of Austria Heinz Fischer, 32nd President of Columbia Juan Manuel Santos, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea Kang Kyung-wha, former President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim, and others, in person or virtually. 3. Foreign Minister Cho highlighted that the UN-led multilateralism needs to be strengthened to accelerate the SDGs implementation and that this momentum should be kept up at the Summit of the Future this coming September. He also underscored the necessity of revitalizing international discussions on the SDGs implementation by countries in special situations such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). 4. Foreign Minister Cho emphasized the need for an integrated approach based on universal values and principles to harmoniously achieve the three pillars of the UN -- development, peace and human rights -- and called for a reform of the international financial architecture and increased cooperation with the private sector for securing development finance to strengthen the means of the SDGs implementation. 5. As the Korean government plans to enhance its status as a “Global Pivotal State,” Foreign Minister Cho expressed Korea’s commitment to actively contribute to shaping international discourse and norms for global peace and prosperity as a member of the Security Council in 2024-2025. He said that Korea will work in solidarity with the international community to achieve practical results in dimensions such as strengthening the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, digital transformation of developing countries, and capacity building of future generations. 6. In the forum, Foreign Minister Cho shared with various stakeholders from home and abroad how Korea is contributing and will continue doing so to the acceleration of the SDGs implementation, demonstrating to the international community the country’s commitment to achieving the SDGs. https://lnkd.in/gyUPbgcQ