Development Education Exchange in Europe

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Development Education Exchange in Europe
Uses of the Council Resolution in support of
DE The experience of the Maltese NGDOs
This project is co-financed by the European Union
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Building the governmental development policy
The Maltese NGDO Platform proposed the government
to include the DE Council Resolution in its
development policy when government officials and
platform representatives started meeting last
year to discuss Maltas first ever development
policy. The Development Education Council
Resolution has been included in the first draft
which is currently to be discussed at cabinet
level.
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In support of our activity
Koperattiva Kummerc Gust (Maltas fair trade
organisation) has applied for funding through the
Youth Action Programme to conduct Earth Democracy
Seminars (which aim among other things to promote
fair trade) amongst youth groups in Malta. In
their project application the KKG quoted the
Development Education Council Resolution saying
that it singled out fair trade, and encouraged a
further promotion of fair trade, recognising it
as an effective theme for development education.
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Training
The Maltese NGDO Platform members have recently
asked for a session to introduce them to the main
ideas in Development Education. This training
session included a short introduction to the
Council Resolution and its possible uses.
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Development Education Exchange in Europe
Portuguese Experience on Advocacy for Development
Education
This project is co-financed by the European Union
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Context
Political context 2003-2004 During this period,
the political context was particularly adverse to
NGOs facing serious financial restrictions from
the government and its lack of political will
continuously facing NGO as not reliable partners.
Development Education The consequence to DE was
that the debate on DE was continually postponed
and the promises of discussing political and
financial support were never accomplished.
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Strategies and tools/1
The Portuguese Platform tried, for several times,
to recall the governments compromises, as stated
in the Council Resolution on DE. Summer School
2003 we hoped that organising this event in
Portugal would call the authorities attention to
the importance of DE. Despite of the partial
financial support that was given, there were no
political consequences. The event was quite
ignored by the high representatives. We came to
the conclusion that some mistakes were made
during the preparation. For example the lack of
institutional involvement from the NGOs boards
constituted an obstacle to adequate political
impact.
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Strategies and tools/2
Meetings with institutions in almost all the
meetings held during this period, the issue of DE
was raised we always made clear that it was of
utmost importance for NGOs.
We tried to start the co-financing process by
presenting our own proposal of guidelines and
application form for a possible DE budget line
where we recalled the importance of the Council
Resolution.
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Results
The results couldnt have been more
disappointing. We found out that the problem was
not only that DE was not considered a priority
for this government but also there was a strong
political will against DE expressing that the
government would never be available for any kind
of commitment.
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New political context
A new political period started in September 2004,
with new political interlocutors.
Hopes There has been a first commitment from the
new Secretary of State to initiate co-financing
procedure for Development Education.
Fears That this first step will not be followed
by a real dialogue between public institutions
and NGOs and that they are not sufficiently
aware (and do not want to be) of what DE is,
causing some evaluation and priorities
controversies.
Needs We think that DEEEP has played a
significant role during this period, supporting
the Portuguese Platform and giving us the
opportunity to know more about other European
experiences. We feel that we will need to deepen
our knowledge on advocacy strategies to assure a
strong and sustainable framework for DE in
Portugal.