EC Consensus on Development
The European Consensus on Development (2006/C 46/01), signed on 20th of December 2005, is a policy statement that reflects the EU's willingness to eradicate poverty and build a more stable and equitable world. It replaces the Joint Statement of the Council, Parliament and the Commission on the European Community's Development Policy of November 2000.
The Consensus is the first document to enshrine the MDGs as overriding objectives of EU development co-operation. It also sets out the concrete actions necessary to implement its vision at Community level. The document consists of two parts: the first part addresses the EU vision of development, applying to the EU Member States and the Community; the second part provides guidance for its implementation at the EC level.
Main principles and objectives
The Consensus identifies shared values, goals, principles and commitments which the European Commission and EU Member States shall implement in their development policies, in particular:
- reducing poverty - particularly focusing on the Millennium Development Goals. This will help meet other challenges such as sustainable development, HIV/AIDS, security, conflict prevention, forced migration, in order to bring about equitable globalisation.
- Development based on Europe's democratic values - respect for human rights, democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, good governance, gender equality, solidarity, social justice and effective multilateral action, particularly through the UN.
- Developing countries are mainly responsible for their own development - based on national strategies developed in collaboration with non-government bodies, and mobilising domestic resources. EU aid will be aligned with these national strategies and procedures.
- The EU (which already provides over 50% of all development aid worldwide) has agreed to increase its official development assistance to 0.56% of its gross national income by 2010 (on the way to achieving the UN target of 0.7% by 2015) .
- Half the additional aid will go to Africa - with special attention to fragile states, countries with low numbers of donors and poor people in middle-income countries.
- The EU and its member countries are committed to making the aid they provide more effective, particularly through better coordination and ensuring it complements other development support and work in the beneficiary country.
The common principles governing all EU development co-operation activities are ownership and partnership, in-depth political dialogue, participation of civil society, gender equality and an ongoing commitment to preventing state fragility. Although developing countries bear the primary responsibility for their own development, the EU accepts its share of responsibility and accountability for all actions it undertakes in partnership with developing countries.
The Consensus stresses that a range of modalities will be undertaken based on the needs and performance of each individual country. Where it is appropriate, the preferred aid modality will be budget support. However, the majority of EC aid will continue to be provided in the form of grants, as this approach is particularly suitable for the poorest countries and for those with a limited ability to repay.
Sources and useful links: