Experts Discussed Policy Coherence for Development in Helsinki

The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU KEHYS Press Release 4.10.2006

Development experts discussed policy coherence for development in Helsinki: aid alone is not enough; also other policies must support the fight against poverty

Development experts met in Helsinki on 2nd and 3rd of October to find practical solutions to ensure policy coherence for development in the EU and Member State policies. The conference gathered up around 250 experts working with development policy and policy coherence.

The conference participants called on decision-makers to acknowledge the mutual benefits of pursuing development objectives. Political commitment to policy coherence for development should be taken a step further through policy change and concrete action.

This requires systematic analyses of policies to identify economic, social and environmental impacts on developing countries. Strong efforts should be made to improve the existing mechanisms to enhance the integration of development objectives into policy making.

In addition there is a need to move beyond the traditional development circles in order to broaden the understanding of the links and the interdependency of the various interests and stakeholders.

-There will only be policy coherence for development if the whole society decides to want it. Coherence means that rich countries have to give up on some of their privileges, stated Paul Engel, Director from the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM.

The conference was organized by the Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU, KEHYS, in cooperation with Finnish NGOs, CONCORD and with the support of the European Commission, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Development Policy Committee of Finland. It was the main the event of KEHYS’ EU presidency campaign “Call for Coherence”.

The conference gathered up a wide range of participants from national ministries, parliaments, development agencies, NGOs, international organisations and research institutes.

-The current global questions are increasingly complex. Many issues such as security, trade, environment, energy and migration require looking from more than just one or two angles. We need improved cooperation between the various players and coherent action, said the Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Paula Lehtomäki, who opened the conference on Monday.

Minister Lehtomäki also reaffirmed her promise to take the recommendations of the conference forward when the Council of Ministers meets on 16th and 17th of October in Luxembourg. Out of an initiative by Finland, there will also be a joint meeting with EU Trade and Development Ministers for the first time in EU history.

-Policy coherence for development can only be achieved when every stakeholder is involved. The civil society has been very active in keeping the topic on the agenda and this work will continue in the future, said Rilli Lappalainen, the Secretary General of KEHYS, the Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU.

More information: Rilli Lappalainen Secretary General of the Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU +358-9-23150560,

Anna Pollari Information Officer of the Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU 09-23150563,