North-South Development Forum
The EU and Civil Society: Where do we go from here?
When: 8th May 2012, 13:00 - 14.30
Where: The Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rue Montoyer 47, Brussels
Panel:
Mr. Kristian Schmidt, Director for Human and Society Development , European Commission
Mr. Thijs Berman, Member of the European Parliament
Mr. Chris Bain, President of CIDSE/Director of CAFOD, England and Wales
Ms. Safia Abdi Dima, Cordaid, Kenya
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Moderated by Ms. Laura Shields, Freelance journalist
This CIDSE event is co-hosted by The Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Please register via: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media requests: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , +32(0)2 282 40 73
Leading experts from civil society and politics will debate what a successful partnership between the EU and civil society should look like in the future.
Recent developments at global and EU level demonstrate the attempt to set up a new framework that allows civil society organisations (CSO) to better play their role as actors in development. Crucial achievements have been made in processes such as the 2011 Busan Forum on Aid Effectiveness. However, it remains to see how agreed principles will be further implemented in upcoming decision-making.
The EU institutions are currently negotiating the EU budget for 2014-20, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The external action funding instruments proposed by the European Commission present a number of new policy orientations that will impact on future cooperation with civil society, such as a “differentiated” partnership with emerging countries but where inequalities are still strongly present, increased international climate finance, changes in consultation mechanisms for countries and sectoral strategies, and greater encouragement of multi-stakeholder cooperation with private sector and local authorities.
In parallel, in October 2012 a new EC communication on development cooperation with CSOs will aim to set new directions, particularly in the areas of an enabling environment for CSO work, cooperation with other actors, and capacity building.
The public panel concludes a two day event bringing together the CIDSE network and over twenty Southern civil society representatives. The event represents a unique opportunity to discuss concrete realities of EU – CSO cooperation on the ground.
Be part of the discussion on the 8th of May to contribute to ongoing policy debates and challenge the thinking on the future work of CSOs, their effectiveness and impact, while exploring the potential for enhanced cooperation between a range of key actors.
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Video impressions from the 2012 North-South Development Forum...
