Debate on development cooperation report - 08-04-10

Two weeks ago, VNG International organised a debate on the topic of the recent report on development cooperation published by the Dutch Scientific Council* for Government Policy. The Dutch version of this report was published in January and caused a lot of tumult within the Dutch development cooperation sector due to some critical remarks in its recommendations. The report tries to analyse the organization and practices within the sector.

Critical remarks on the report were made by Mrs. Isa Baud, professor development cooperation at the University of Amsterdam. According to her, established actors can learn from the cooperative relationships between foreign municipalities and water boards. Research confirms that the effectiveness of development aid strongly correlates with the capacity of local governments. Mr. Van Lieshout, author of the Scientific Council’s report, agreed with her that international cooperation between local governments can indeed be highly effective.

As a result of the debate, Mr. Van Lieshout decided to give more space to the role of local authorities in the English version of the report.

For a Dutch language transcript, click here.

*The aim of the WRR is to advise the government about future developments of great public interest using a scientific approach. The government can use these recommendations in order to readjust existing policy, to develop new policy or as support for decision making. The Council also tries to stimulate scientific debate.