Eurostep WeeklyRegular News Update from Eurostep, N° 528 10 November 2008 European Development Days 2008 The third edition of the European Development Days (EDD), organised by the European Commission, will take place in Strasbourg on 15-17 November 2008. The annual event will host around 3000 participants from all over the world, including representatives from administrations, parliaments, local authorities, civil society, international organisations, academia, development agencies, the private sector and the media. Eurostep will have a stand at the "development village", where over 12000 development-related organisations will be represented. Eurostep will also be organising an event on Sunday 16 November entitled "Capacity for Local Governance: The Hidden Dimension of the Global Crisis". This will be held at 12.30pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel, just next to the Palais des Congrès. The Commission's EDD website proclaims: "We are convinced that bringing together all actors from Europe and its Partners involved in development helps to improve our ideas, working methods and delivery. The informal and open nature of the 2008 edition is intended to demonstrate our ability to promote inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogues. As such, the European Development Days serve as a natural platform for launching new initiatives to enhance the synergies we experience in our everyday work." "The policy forum provides the opportunity to discuss, at the highest level, essential aspects of development policy, in particular implementation of the Paris Declaration and of the Millennium Development Goals. It is intended for all development professionals, whatever the role they play." Source: Global reaction to Obama's victory The landmark election of Barack Obama as US President last week was hailed by observers from all over the world. Here are just some of the reactions from around the world that his victory inspired. "I anticipate some shift in US policy under Obama administration. US administration may replace the concept of unilateralism (going for unilateral action or forcing allies to rally behind, as happened in Iraq war) by multilateralism (more dialogue with Europe, as well as other strategic allies like China and India). This has already been indicated by his desire to have unconditional dialogue with some 'foes' in the international theatre." Mohiuddin Ahmad, Bangladesh. "My wish and dream is that we have someone like Barack in Eritrea one day. A President who gives hope to the youth instead of chasing them out of their own country." An Eritrean activist with US citizenship. "We hope Obama can restore America to become a great nation again. Obama's election may motivate children here to see that dreams can be reached. We hope that our children have dreams as high as Obama's." Yustina Amirah, principal of Asisi Elementary School in Jakarta which Obama attended as a child. "Barak Obama's roots, his past and his multiple cultural identities stand in stark contrast to the profiles of George W. Bush or John McCain. His understanding of, and relations with, the countries of the world -- particularly of the global South -- and with American society itself point to a different outcome. Taken together, his life and experience make hope for a new understanding of domestic and international issues possible." Tariq Ramadan, Oxford. "Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place." Nelson Mandela, in a personal message to Obama. Sources: EU leaders express high hopes for new era of progress under Obama Following the election of Barack Obama on Tuesday 9 November, EU leaders were quick to congratulate the new president-elect and voice hopes that his presidency will usher in a new era of cooperation and progress. Whereas President Bush has proven to be a divisive figure for the EU, is hoped that Obama will try to repair the strained relationship between the US and the EU through enhanced dialogue, particularly on the key issues of the global financial crisis, climate change and international development. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, said he wished to see a 'New Deal' involving the EU and US, which would include human rights, trade, the environment, the financial crisis and the fight against global poverty. "The current financial crisis can become a new opportunity for global governance," said Barroso. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown commented: "I'm looking forward to cooperating with the president-elect in building a new global society in which the advancement of people -- their homes, jobs, savings and pensions -- is always put first. We are in tough times and of course the fairer future is not certain. But the lesson from recent times and now from the Obama victory -- whether it be on financial instability, the creation of jobs or climate change -- is that only progressive answers, clear public purpose working for the benefit of all, can meet the big challenges we face." "The victory of President Obama could restore credibility and effectiveness in the fight against international terrorism," said Italian Socialist MEP Claudio Fava. "Credibility died under the Bush government because of the illegal, amoral and, above all, unnecessary extraordinary renditions. The Obama presidency could start a new era in EU-USA relations -- without American arrogance and, at the same time, without European submission." Sources: Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance releases statement on tackling climate change from a gender perspective On 19-22 October 2008 the Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance, on Gender in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction, was held in Manila, Philippines. The statement released following the Congress set out a number of key recommendations for managing the gender implications of climate change. The statement underscores "that women are vital agents of change, holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and can be powerful leaders both at international and community levels in climate change mitigation, adaptation and in disaster risk reduction." Participants at the Congress recognised "that climate change is one of the most urgent human security, ecological and development challenges of our time, exacerbating migration and conflict"; they highlighted "the close link between climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and that Hyogo Framework of Action 2005-2015 provides a guide to protect our societies and economies from current and future hazards"; and they acknowledged that "the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that climate change impacts will vary among regions, generations, ages, classes, income groups, occupations and genders, and that those living in poverty will be disproportionately affected". The statement emphasises "that women make up the vast majority of the world's most impoverished and face unequal access to resources, land rights, credit and insurance systems, and decision-making power", and it recalls "the 2007 Human Development Report, which states that climate change is likely to magnify existing patterns of gender inequalities." Specifically, the statement recommends initiatives such as supporting women's grassroots initiatives in the sustainable use of natural resources, the collection of sex-disaggregated data in every sector by governments and development organisations, and the integration of gender-sensitive criteria into the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects and initiatives. Read the full statement at: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/manila_declaration_final.pdf EU plans stronger ties with East European neighbours The European Commission has announced that it is working on an 'Eastern Partnership' with Ukraine, Georgia and other countries lying on its eastern borders, which holds out the possibility of future accession to the EU. The idea of an Eastern Partnership was first launched in May 2008 by Poland and Sweden, who called for the EU to upgrade its relations with Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and possibly Belarus. The involvement of Belarus however remains controversial as many consider its President Alexander Lukashenko to be a dictator. Ukraine's ambassador to the EU, Andri Veselovski, has declared that the country hopes for a partnership modelled on the defunct Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, as a precursor to future EU membership. The Stability Pact was established by the international community following the 1999 war in Kosovo, with the aim of contributing to reconciliation and post-war reconstruction and fostering regional cooperation. Veselovski also voiced Ukraine's desire that the new structure should have its headquarters in Brussels to give better access to European decision-makers, and that it should be named the 'Eastern European Partnership'. A spokesperson for EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced that the European Commission's proposal for an 'Eastern Partnership' was a "more comprehensive effort" than that of Ukraine. She also said that the decision to name it 'Eastern Partnership' had already been taken. The Commission plans to adopt a Communication on the subject in December. Source:
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