BHOS-beleidsnota
Reactie
| Naam | International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University (Inge Hutter Wieke Blaauw) |
|---|---|
| Plaats | Den Haag |
| Datum | 13 april 2022 |
Vraag1
(see english below)Nexus (samenhang) Ontwikkelingssamenwerking & Buitenlandse Handel
Het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven kan door middel van handel, investeringen en marktkracht een belangrijke rol spelen bij een aantal van de grote wereldwijde uitdagingen van deze tijd. Om de Nederlandse inzet richting het bedrijfsleven een focus mee te geven wordt gekozen voor een focus op de “twin-transities”; de digitale transitie (via onder meer artificiële intelligentie) en de verduurzamingtransitie. Deze twin-transities op digitale innovatie en verduurzaming zullen de komende jaren een grote rol spelen om de Parijs en Glasgow-doelen voor klimaat te halen. Die doelen moeten we in Nederland halen, maar ook wereldwijd. Hoewel er een grote behoefte is aan Nederlandse expertise en investeringen, zien we dat meer nodig kan zijn om het Nederlandse bedrijven te betrekken bij deze transities in (lage en) midden-inkomenslanden.
1. Hoe kan het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven meer betrokken worden bij de twin-transitie in (lage en) midden-inkomenslanden?
(EN)
Nexus between development cooperation and foreign trade
Through their trade, investment and market position, Dutch businesses can play a key role in tackling some of the major challenges facing the world today. The focus of Dutch policy vis-a-vis the private sector will be on the 'twin transitions' of digitalisation (including artificial intelligence) and sustainability – both of which will be key to achieving the Paris and Glasgow climate goals in the years ahead. We must achieve these goals not only in the Netherlands, but across the world as a whole. While Dutch expertise and investment funding are in great demand, we also see that more may be needed when it comes to getting Dutch companies involved in these transitions in low- and middle-income countries.
1. How can we increase the involvement of Dutch companies in the twin transitions in low- and middle-income countries?
Digitalisation in higher education has increased exponentially due to the pandemic and the need to move education entirely online, but also conferences moved entirely online. Participation and interaction with partners increased naturally, leading to increasing access to and deepening contact with partners (be it knowledge institutes, governments, NGOs, business) in the global South; in short, knowledge between global North and South can now be shared much easier.
Various Dutch companies, start-ups, innovative NGOs are active in this field and could provide support in setting up a digital hub for knowledge sharing. A digital hub would be a platform pre-eminent to discuss and share knowledge on sustainability and climate change.
Vraag2
Nederland kent een lange traditie van publieke private samenwerking. Nu de mondiale uitdagingen steeds groter worden, is het van belang deze publiek-private samenwerkingen te verdiepen en te versnellen. De duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelen zijn in 2015 vastgesteld als actieplan voor overheden, bedrijven, kennisinstellingen en burgers om duurzame ontwikkeling te verwezenlijken wereldwijd.2. Hoe kunnen overheid, bedrijfsleven en kennisinstellingen beter samenwerken om de duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelen te halen?
(EN)
The Netherlands has a long tradition of public-private partnership. As the global challenges grow ever bigger, it is important to deepen and accelerate these partnerships. The Sustainable Development Goals were presented in 2015 as a plan of action for governments, companies, knowledge institutions and private individuals to achieve sustainable development worldwide.
2. How can government, the private sector and knowledge institutions work together better to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?
A successful approach in public-private partnership doing justice to the SDGs requires cooperation not only between the public, companies, civil society and government, but should also include knowledge institutes, in the broad sense of the word. The so-called Dutch Diamond Approach (The Dutch Diamond Dynamic, Doing business in the context of the new Sustainable Development Goals, No 99, January 2016, AIV) is crucial to share knowledge and expertise among the various actors. A key role can be seen for alumni from Dutch higher education institutes who can be found in all three sectors and who are connected to the Netherlands through their educational background. Each year more than 112.000 students from 164 countries are studying in the Netherlands (https://www.nuffic.nl/onderwerpen/alumni/nl-alumni-network). They are great ambassadors for the Netherlands.
In the academic world there is a growing focus on the societal impact of research. There are research centres focusing on frugal innovation to bridge the gap between hard-to-reach populations and for example health care services. This is done by focusing on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and education. Examples are the Leiden, Delft, Erasmus University Centre for Frugal Innovation: https://www.iss.nl/en/research/research-networks/centre-frugal-innovation, or the Erasmus Initiative ‘Vital Cities and Citizens’ which focuses on questions like “How can a city give space to diversity and make citizens feel like they belong? How do residents deal with changes within their environment? What role does smart technology play in the governance of a city? Additionally, what is needed for a city to be sustainable and just in the future? These questions are key in the forming of a network with municipalities, civil society organizations, initiatives, companies and the creative industry while sharing knowledge with each other on the basis of scientific research.
The Government could support this process by facilitating global knowledge hubs, providing funds for research and providing scholarships and stipends for Master students and PhD researchers from the global South.
Vraag3
Nederland heeft sinds 2016 een actieplan beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling. Beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling heeft als doel om in niet-hulp (OS) beleid schade voor ontwikkelingslanden te verminderen en synergiën en samenwerking te versterken. Het Nederlandse actieplan is in 2018 herzien en geeft een overzicht van vijf Nederlandse beleidsthema’s die een invloed hebben op de ontwikkelingskansen in ontwikkelingslanden. Deze thema’s zijn: (1) het tegengaan van belastingontwijking/ontduiking, (2) ontwikkelingsvriendelijke handelsakkoorden, (3) een ontwikkelingsvriendelijk investeringsregime, (4) verduurzaming van productie en handel en (5) het tegengaan van klimaatverandering.3. Hoe kan de bovengenoemde Nederlandse inzet op beleidscoherentie voor ontwikkeling verder versterkt of verbeterd worden?
(EN)
The Netherlands has had an action plan on policy coherence for development since 2016. The aim of policy coherence is to reduce the negative effects on developing countries caused by policies in areas other than development, and to strengthen synergies and cooperation. The action plan, which was revised in 2018, identifies five Dutch policy themes that can enhance developing countries’ opportunities for development: (1) combating tax avoidance/evasion, (2) development-friendly trade agreements, (3) a development-friendly investment regime, (4) more sustainable production and trade, and (5) combating climate change.
3. How can the Netherlands’ efforts to achieve policy coherence for development be further strengthened or enhanced?
A critical reflection and adjustments on general Dutch policy on taxes and trade agreements are crucial to reduce the negative effects. At the same time, it is important to strengthen the countervailing powers; to strengthen research and knowledge development on the impact of trade agreements and investment regimes; to provide tools and assistance to initiatives that stimulate more sustainable production and trade.
Vraag5
Thema’s en sectoren van de toekomstNu de wereld in transitie is om een goede toekomst voor ons en de generaties na ons te bewerkstelligen verandert de focus van bedrijven, overheid en kennisinstellingen.
5. Op welke thema’s of sectoren ziet u kansen om internationaal te ondernemen?
(EN)
Themes and sectors of the future
The focus of companies, governments and knowledge institutions is changing in light of the global transition to ensure a bright future for current and future generations.
5. In which themes or sectors do you see opportunities for international enterprise?
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges for the near future. This will have an impact on all aspects of life: food security, peace and conflict situations, disasters that will occur. A strong digital network to share insights & knowledge and to join forces is key. Including not only knowledge institutes but also R&D departments of companies, research departments in ministries and in non-governmental organisations. Dutch knowledge networks and institutes can play a crucial role in open access knowledge and creating a strong global knowledge network through their alumni and research partners worldwide. The Dutch Diamond Approach involving all actors is crucial to ensure an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to face the climate change.
Vraag7
OntwikkelingssamenwerkingDevelopment cooperation
Nederlandse inzet op Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
Nederland is op verschillende thema’s actief op gebied van ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Zo investeren we in het realiseren van de Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) en zetten we extra in op opvang in de regio, toegang tot vaccins, klimaatadaptatie en -mitigatie. Nederland gaat door met wat goed gaat en focust op waar Nederland goed in is, zoals verbinding tussen diplomatie en ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Meer informatie over het ontwikkelingssamenwerkingsbeleid van Nederland is te vinden op www.nlontwikkelingssamenwerking.nl.
7. Waar is Nederland op het gebied van ontwikkelingssamenwerking volgens u goed in? Op welke thema’s zou Nederland een aanjagende rol kunnen vervullen?
(EN)
Dutch development cooperation activities
The Netherlands is actively pursuing a number of policy themes in the area of development cooperation. For example, we're investing in efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reception in the region, access to vaccines, and climate adaptation and mitigation. The Netherlands will continue its efforts in areas where progress is being made and will focus on its strengths, such as linking diplomacy and development. For more information about Dutch development policy, go to www.nlontwikkelingssamenwerking.nl.
7. In your opinion, what are the Netherlands’ strengths when it comes to development cooperation? In which policy themes could the Netherlands play a leading role?
Dutch Higher Education is known for its high academic standards and the linking of research and teaching. The fact that most education and scientific publications are in the English language enables a strong and international network of like-minded institutes all over the world. The SDGs are central in many joint research projects in which co-creation of knowledge and sharing insights and networks are crucial. The Dutch Diamond Approach, in which governments, the private sector, knowledge institutes and civil society step out of their siloes and reach out to other actors to share knowledge and insights deserves further elaboration and support. E.g. The Netherlands is known for its stand in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and has contributed a lot to this field in the global South, through knowledge development, capacity building and sharing expertise in interventions and policies.
The Dutch government could continue to play a crucial role in stimulating cooperation and knowledge exchange between higher education institutes, by providing scholarships or stipends for (PhD) Researchers and scholarships for MA students.
Vraag8
Innoveren op OSNederlandse internationale samenwerking is flexibel en kennisintensief, we zijn vernieuwend. Zo ontwikkelt Nederland nieuwe manieren van werken en partnerschappen die daarna door bijv. de Europese Commissie en Wereldbank worden opgepakt of opgeschaald. De Nederlandse internationale samenwerking fungeert dus veelal als een creatieve en kennisintensieve incubator (een broedplaats voor nieuwe ideeën. Nederland is een relatief kleine donor, maar als lidstaat van de EU en via bilaterale hulp kan Nederland de zichtbaarheid van EU-hulp vergroten en additionele relevante kapitaalstromen generen.
8. Op welke manier en op welk vlak kan de Nederlandse ontwikkelingssamenwerking nog meer innoveren?
(EN)
Innovative development cooperation
Dutch international cooperation is flexible and knowledge-intensive. We are also innovative, developing new ways of working and new types of partnership that are subsequently adopted or scaled up by others, like the European Commission and the World Bank. In this respect, Dutch international cooperation is like a creative and knowledge-intensive incubator. We are a relatively small donor, but as an EU member state and through bilateral aid we can make EU aid more visible and generate additional, relevant capital flows.
8. In what other ways and areas could Dutch development cooperation innovate more?
Acknowledge that international cooperation is across borders of countries and regions and acknowledge the importance of decolonising knowledge in cooperation and in knowledge development. This could be done by stimulating the twin transition; the digitalization and sustainability transition in a knowledge hub with an equal role for Dutch higher education institutes and universities in partner countries. Stimulate joint research and cooperation, open access of research and a vibrant and strong online community of professionals, researchers, students and alumni. This could be organised around crucial themes like climate change and sustainability, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poverty, inequality and human rights or the impact of the Russian invasion in Ukraine on food security and dependency chains in natural resources. Knowledge hubs could be centred around themes instead of countries or regions in which the Dutch government could stimulate, facilitate and finance the input from Dutch knowledge centres and universities in its partner countries, partners from the private sector and knowledge centres at non-governmental organisations without limiting the network to certain regions.
Innovation in development cooperation can also be achieved in active adoption and implementation of an approach in which the concepts of shifting powers and decolonizing aid / knowledge play an important role. It means more equal partnerships, between global North and South, hence add value to co-created programmes.
Vraag9
Een donor met durfDe Nederlandse internationale inzet is gedurfd, omdat we financiële investeringen koppelen aan onze diplomatieke inzet en expertise. We continueren thema’s waar we traditionele meerwaarde hebben: seksuele en reproductieve rechten en gezondheid (SRGR), water, voedselzekerheid en veiligheid & rechtsorde. Daarbij kunnen we nog meer gebruik maken van het diplomatieke gewicht van o.a. de EU. We investeren in systeemverandering om te zorgen dat we de SDG’s in 2030 realiseren. Met systeemverandering bedoelen we dat we de systemen die armoede en ongelijkheid in stand houden aanpakken.
9. Op welke manier/welk vlak kan Nederland als donor nog meer durf te tonen?
(EN)
A bold donor
Dutch international efforts can be characterised as bold, because we link financial investment to diplomatic efforts and expertise. We will continue our work on themes where we have always added value: sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), water, food security, and security and the rule of law. We will also make better use of the diplomatic weight of the EU. To ensure we achieve the SDGs by 2030, we will invest in systemic change, i.e. tackling the structures that maintain poverty and inequality.
9. In what ways or areas could the Netherlands, as a donor, be even bolder?
SDG 17 on sustainable partnerships is crucial for a healthy, knowledge-intensive cooperation. Providing a structural budget to stimulate knowledge exchange and cooperation would create a healthy and reciprocal knowledge hub, making use of digitalisation and open access to knowledge and expertise, thus going beyond the traditional development aid. It would be bold to trust higher education institutes in the Netherlands and abroad to build long lasting relations and networks to create societal impact in the long run by stimulating international, global networks and knowledge hubs.
The Netherlands could be even more bold by actively adopting the relevant concepts in its approach to development cooperation, such as shifting powers, equal partnerships and especially decolonizing aid / knowledge. It means adding more value, and getting more value, to collaborations between partners in the global North and South,