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Debate
Staying the course
Considering strengths and interests
Towards a consistent, multilateral policy
No to dubious funding
8-9/2005 |
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SPD
Staying the course
Germany’s multilateral commitment has brought about some important reforms in international institutions in the past few years. The prevention and settlement of conflicts has become a core issue of development policy in general. Additional funding has been procured through development partnerships with the private sector. All of that serves to allow people in partner countries to benefit from an equitable development.
[ By Karin Kortmann ]
Under Social Democrat leadership, German development cooperation has made some giant and strategic steps forward. Development policy was liberated from the minor position it had held under the previous conservative government. Instead, development has become a focal issue in our global approach to structural change and the maintenance of peace. The German government – and particularly its independent Development Ministry – have made sure that preventive policy has gained momentum. This is true at the national as well as international level.
Take, for example, multilateral organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They have backed away from the dominant “Washington Consensus” – not least because the German government was among those who urged the financial institutions to do so. In a similar sense, the European Union too has become more keenly aware of its responsibility towards developing countries. Market distorting subsidies are being reduced, and the everything-but-arms initiative has improved the trade opportunities for the poorest countries. On top of this, developing countries have gained more say at the international level.
Germany has adopted the UN Millennium Goals and has developed a convergent national plan called “Action Programme 2015” in an attempt to make German policy as a whole more coherent. Obviously, greater international commitment and an enhanced preparedness to accept responsibility require additional funds. We will, however, prevent any return to purely national, project-based cooperation.
In accordance with our multilateral focus, we will further develop Germany’s national strategy. Crucial objectives are preventing civil strife and settling conflicts. Furthermore, German development cooperation has reinforced its long-term commitment to solving environmental crises, for example, by promoting renewable energy sources. The development partnership our government started with private sector companies has proven a success by mobilising ¤ 2.5 billion since 1999. Provided that basic labour and social standards are met, the involvement of the private sector serves as an engine for improving standards of living.
The spread of HIV/AIDS in large parts of Africa and Asia has siphoned off important resources from German development cooperation. But without beating this disease, we cannot provide any convincing perspectives. This issue therefore deserves the attention it is getting. An important actor, the Catholic church, will also have to be moved to accept reality and throw its weight behind the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Party-political foundations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and churches have grassroots contacts with disadvantaged people in many countries. These often go back many years. Such actors often relate better to poor strata of society than do governmental bodies. Therefore, the German government responded to the Social Democrats’ demand to provide these agencies with more funds. Nonetheless, NGOs have their own interests and lack democratic legitimacy. Consequently, they must account to the public. Some organisations have already acted appropriately by disclosing the sources as well as the allocation of their funds. Other organisations have been slower to rise to the challenge.
We are, however, aware of the fact that developing countries are themselves responsible for structural reforms. Many governments are either unable or unwilling to act accordingly. We believe German development cooperation should support governments, parliaments, and civil society organisations to develop their countries. For that purpose, we need specific programmes for countries and regions. The talents and characteristics of the people must be enhanced for them to adequately participate in an equitable social and economic development.
Karin Kortmann
is the development spokesperson of the Social Democrats (SPD) in the outgoing Bundestag.
karin.kortmann@bundestag.de
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