DE Conference 3.-4.7.2006 Helsinki: Experts gathered to plan European Development Education Strategy Framework

Over 120 participants from national ministries and state agencies, EU institutions, European civil society, international organizations, local and regional authorities, and research institutes, participated in the European Conference on Development Education on 3-4 July 2006 in Helsinki. The conference was organized by KEHYS (the Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU), in co-operation with CONCORD, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the European Commission. The conference was also the kick-off of KEHYS’ EU Presidency Project “Call for Coherence”.

During two days experts focused on the elaboration of a common European Strategy Framework for Development Education. This builds on the Brussels Conference (May 2005) recommendation that comprehensive and coherent development education and awareness-raising strategies should be designed, or where existing reviewed and strengthened, at both national and European levels, in an inclusive fashion with key stakeholders.

In order to provide impetus towards national and European strategies, specific attention was given to the following issues: • quality and effectiveness; • financing for development education; • campaigning and awareness raising; • co-operation with the media; • the integration of development education into national educational systems; • the needs of new member states, and of acceding and candidate countries. The Conference led to the attached 9 conclusions, and to further specific proposals from individual working groups as outlined in the papers annexed. These recommendations are addressed to all actors of society who are able and interested in further improving the impact and quality of development education. This includes among others the EU institutions, national ministries, and international and civil society organisations, research institutes working for active and informed global citizens.

You can find the conclusions with annexes, the programme, the presentations and the list of participants:

More information: Secretary General Rilli Lappalainen +358 9 23150560,