Cuts unwise
In the outline agreement, the coalition parties announced a structural cut of 2.4 billion euros in development cooperation, the largest cut in the agreement. This measure punches a huge hole in a budget intended for disaster relief, protecting vulnerable areas from flooding, and improving access to clean drinking water, among other things. The cut is also bad news for our companies’ earning capacity: for flourishing international trade, good development cooperation in low-income countries is a prerequisite and, therefore, indispensable.
Partos, the trade association for development cooperation, will therefore continue to stand firm in the coming period for a decent development budget and a fairer world. We also stand for international partners, sustainable development and climate justice, and for development cooperation instead of development aid.
Liana Hoornweg, Partos director: “The government is cutting billions from essential aid to other countries, but the world’s problems are getting worse. Over 700 million people face extreme poverty, 771 million people have no access to clean water and 760 million people are without electricity. The cuts will make the vulnerable situation of these people, with whom development organizations stand side by side, even more difficult.”
Importance of a strong civil society
The fact that the radical right is coming to power with this administration calls for great vigilance when it comes to exclusion, space for civil society organizations and respect for human rights. The appointment of PVV Minister Klever also leads to concerns within the development sector about how seriously this cabinet takes international cooperation. Previous statements about conspiracy theories and the development budget put her at a disadvantage in international contacts. Partos hopes that in her induction period, the minister will be informed and inspired about the relevant and impactful work her officials and development organizations are doing here and in partner countries. Partos will proudly bring to her attention the important work that our members and their partner organizations are doing.
We will keep the governing parties on their toes regarding compliance with international agreements on development cooperation (such as the SDGs), climate justice and the space for civil society organizations to do their important work.
Image: Valerie Kuypers,source