Concept Note: Structural improvements in institutional approaches to promote interaction between policy communities

European Union's commitment to Policy Coherence for Development has been expressed with several Council conclusions (2004, 2005 and 2006), including the Joint Development Policy Statement with the European Parliament and the Commission, the European Consensus on Development in 2005. Coherence and effectiveness of EU external policies is also emphasised in more general terms by the European Council conclusions of June 2006. It is time to implement the commitment.

The realisation, that the objectives of development policy will not be taken into account by different policy sectors automatically, has increased significantly in recent years. In addition to strong political commitment, institutional arrangements are needed, to ensure information on the development dimension of different policies as well as interaction between the different policy communities. Accountability and monitoring are also crucial for the promotion of Policy Coherence for Development. The need for suitable structures and institutional approaches concerns both the Member State and the EU level.

The European Consensus on Development states that the EU "will strengthen policy coherence for development procedures, instruments and mechanisms at all levels, and secure adequate resources and share best practice to further these aims". In addition, the General and External Affairs Council April 2006 concluded as a priority to: "review and improve the Council decision-making processes to ensure effective integration of development concerns in EU decisions in full compliance with existing competences and procedures, after preparation by the Coreper."

In order to make sure that the EU's contribution to eradicating poverty is coherently pursued and not undermined by any policy sector, special attention to structural improvements in institutional approaches needs to be given.

Do decision-makers - whether on security, trade, migration environment or HIV/AIDS - really know of the inter-linkages to development concerns? How to make sure that, when a policy decision is being prepared, possible impacts on developing countries are considered in the process? Who should find new solutions to old development challenges that can be found within other non-aid policy sectors? How to structure dialogue between policy communities for the mutual benefit of the two?

What about ensuring two-way interaction with civil society contributions to make use of non-governmental actors' expertise? Are organisational structures and culture in Member States and in EU institutions such, that it is possible to promote Policy Coherence for Development?

According to a recent study on EU Council decision-making, by the Centre for European Policy Studies, the Council does not currently have standard operating prodecures for the integration of development dimensions. and the results vary according to the policy sector. The study reviews decision-making procedures and practices in the Council for each of the 12 policy sectors identified as priority for PCD in the European Consensus on Development. Several recommendations are made both for the European Commission and the Council.

The European Commission is in the process of evaluating its Integrated Impact Assessment tool, which has been requested by the Council several times in recent years. The Council expects the improvement process after the evaluation to find ways to use the tool more systematically also for identifying economical, social and environmental impacts on developing countries to be taken into account in the Council discussions.

The Commission and the Council have prepared a Rolling PCD Work Programme for 2006 and 2007 to facilitate the identification and prioritisation of policy processes, where PCD should be given special attention.

Finnish Presidency will invite Ministers at the October General and External Arffairs Council's Orientation Debate to discuss and find concrete measures to improve Council decision-making in order to improve possibilities for PCD. As some improvements are realistic in the short-term, the Ministers can with their Orientation debate provide guidance for more long-term improvements.

Later in the year, the Council will, in the Working Group for Development Cooperation, also exchange infomation on the national institutional mechanisms for PCD in order to discuss best practices and experiences and to encourage improvements in the Member States.

Improvements or processes looking for improvements are thus under way. Yet, there are still many challenges to overcome, practices to renew and attitudes to change, to ensure systematic and improved attention to development in EU policies.