This page gives information on the discussions on ‘Key development issues’ in the first phase of the public consultation (February-May, 2007).
Basis for discussion
An issue paper drafted by the ECDPM and approved by the EU and the AU was presented on the website and participants were encouraged to respond to questions raised in it. After some time another discussion paper was drafted, based on issues raised in the consultation as well as in the official negotiations. The consultation also made space for participants to raise other questions, priorities, or challenges that they would like to put on the agenda.
Issue paper (February, 2007) – doc ; pdf
Discussion note (April, 2007) – html ; doc ; pdf
The main messages
The main messages from the actors participating in the first phase of the consultation were the following:
- The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) should provide the basis for the joint strategy.
- The EU should focus on delivering on its aid levels and aid effectiveness commitments
- Africa should be granted total debt cancellation
- Equal access to development programmes by all people, including vulnerable groups, needs to be ensured in order to achieve the MDGs. Gender also needs to be mainstreamed
- Root causes of migration need to be addressed and the role of diaspora reaffirmed. International conventions on migrants rights and trafficking should be endorsed and protection of refugees ensured.
- Health and education must remain a priority and current commitments on health and education implemented
- Europe’s responsibility should be recognized on climate change, international environmental agreements respected by all parties and a Euro-African partnership on this topic should include additional non ODA funding
See the report of the internet consultation for more information on the issues raised.
The contributions made
Comments could be made directly on the websites and contributions could also be sent in the form of position papers.
Position papers received focusing on Key development issues can be viewed here.
All comments made on this cluster, until it was closed on 26 June, 2007 – doc ; pdf
