Case: Policy coherence in general

14-10-2009 Spotlight on Policy Coherence: Report launched by CONCORD

On Wednesday the 14th of October CONCORD organised a media launch to present its first report on Policy Coherence for Development. The report - to which Fair Politics has also contributed - explains how CONCORD has a different approach to PCD that involves a more Southern and rights-based perspective, a multi-dimensional approach with many interlinkages between the different policy areas (instead of the two-dimensional often used by the Commission) and the importance of looking at financial regulation and taxation.

It critices the Communication of the Commission that prioritises only five policy areas but do not speak of the most contentious issue, trade, and expresses concerns on the linking of ODI and non-ODI funds. With thematic chapters on the interlinked issues of Climate Change, Trade, Agriculture, Migration and Finance, as well a discussion of different national approaches to PCD, it is a clear contribution from civil society on PCD.

The media launch included a discussion between MEP and chair of the Human Rights subcommittee, Heidi Hautala, Acting Director of DG Development and Head PCD, Francoise Moreau, General-Secretary of APRODEV, Rob van Drimmelen, DG Trade representative Silvia Formentini and the coordinator of the report from the CONCORD secretariat, Romain Philippe.

It was interesting to see the discrepancy between civil society and Commission views on what PCD should focus on, avoiding the undermining of development goals in other policy fields or rather create synergies as the optimistic Moreau stated. To concerns expressed by Oxfam International on Free Trade Agreements and Access to Medicine, the DG Trade representative also clearly expressed her belief that EU policies on Intellectual Property Rights are currently fully in line with PCD. A surprising reaction that we will try to come back to during the European Development Days in Stockholm.

There were also clear concerns of civil society on what the Lisbon Treaty, which calls for a common external service, will bring to Development and PCD. According to CONCORD the outcome largely depends on the strength and motivation of the new Development Commissioner that will have to ensure the relevance of these.

Click here for more information on, and a link to, the Commission's Communication and report on PCD.

And click here for the Fair Politics reaction to the Commission's report.