Policy coherence for development cooperation

Policy only really works when decisions in different areas reinforce one another. In practice, this still happens far too rarely. Decisions on taxation, trade, agriculture or energy can actually undermine positive effects elsewhere. Consider, for example, the role the Netherlands plays in facilitating tax avoidance, which causes developing countries to lose out on significant revenue. Or the export of Dutch plastic waste to non-Western countries, resulting in disastrous consequences for air, soil, and groundwater.

Whilst the Netherlands contributes to sustainable development through development cooperation on the one hand, it undermines this impact with the other. To prevent Dutch policy from working against itself, Partos, together with its members, advocates for policy coherence for development, whereby policies from other ministries also contribute to global sustainable development.

Building Change

Under the name ´Building Change´, Partos is working together with Foundation Max van der Stoel and Woord en Daad to firmly put policy coherence for sustainable development on the agenda in the Netherlands. Together, we advocate for fair Dutch policy that does not have a negative impact on sustainable development in low-income countries. Through the publication of position papers, the submission of petitions, and our “Adopt a SDG” campaign, we aim to draw greater attention to these side effects of Dutch policy.