BHOS-beleidsnota
Reactie
| Naam | Anoniem |
|---|---|
| Plaats | Brussels |
| Datum | 12 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?
As a member of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) since 2002, the Netherlands can make the most of GPE’s global convening role and tackle this twin transition. Dutch businesses, along with GPE, can respond to climate change challenges and make the most of the digital transition.
Firstly, a quality education directly impacts the sustainability transition, as it equips people with knowledge to advance climate change mitigation and develop skills to build green economies. Dutch private foundations and tech-savvy partner companies have a unique potential to bring strategic capabilities that help education ministries strengthen their data systems. These systems are critical to providing insight, evidence and analysis for ministries of education to improve education quality and reach, ultimately boosting the resilience of students and their communities to adapt and respond to climate change. This is where the GPE Match mechanism can provide matching funds for in-kind contributions of strategic capabilities for qualifying partner-country initiatives. This mechanism is available only to private foundations and the business community and can be used for a donor country and private sector/ foundation to match funding to GPE.
Secondly, GPE is in a unique position to bring together the Dutch business community, private foundations and others, including their expertise and innovation in EdTech. There is a misconception that technology can replace teachers – it can’t. But with the right training and accessibility, technology enhances children’s learning experience. With GPE, Dutch businesses can use shared knowledge and explore ways to make the most of the digital transition in low and middle-income countries. Through private sector funds, this support includes providing tech tools and digital devices to ensure teachers monitor student performance and identifying children at risk of dropping out; make the most of in-service teacher training on the use of information and communication technology (ICT); and influencing policy reform around the increased use of technology to improve the quality of learning. In this process, the active participation of several stakeholders, including civil society, in education planning, policy dialogue and monitoring processes is critical. GPE has a private sector/ foundations board constituency and a civil society constituency, including teachers.
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?
It is imperative that we highlight and put into practice moving from the idea that the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals is only on governments. The industry, knowledge institutions, business community and several other stakeholders have a responsibility too – and incredibly valuable contributions to share when joining forces.
These key actors include civil society organizations (CSOs), whose experience and direct links with those most vulnerable must always be taken into consideration. Through its longstanding support to CSOs, GPE works to strengthen national advocacy efforts to protect education budgets and ultimately impact the achievement to the SDGs.
The financing gap for low- and lower-middle income countries to achieve SDG4 is currently $148 billion/year (UNESCO 2020). And due to COVID-19, this gap could increase by 1/3.
Through GPE funds, financial co-investment opportunities for Dutch companies and private foundations support initiatives that can help advance partner countries’ strategies and priorities, in partnership with governments from donor countries as well as those from developing countries.
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?
The strengthening of synergies and cooperation amongst various stakeholders is a central part of GPE’s mission.
The Netherlands, as a member of GPE since 2002, can continue making the most of GPE’s unique position to support greater coherence at policy level and beyond, across the sector. This is due to GPE’s convening role: we bring together teachers, civil society, donors, United Nations agencies, development banks, businesses and philanthropists behind partner country leadership.
Programs funded through GPE’s are based on assessments carried out in continuous contact several stakeholders, strengthening overall coherence, synergies and cooperation. GPE’s emphasis on government leadership and local coordination, including the local education group (LEG), is central to the design and implementation of approaches that enhance developing countries' opportunities for development. In this context, civil society organizations (CSOs) make meaningful contributions to policy discussions and education planning, as well as enhance mutual accountability. Sector coordination ensures alignment with national priorities and a development coherence, while promoting sustainability. This is done through a country ownership and shared bottom-line approach.
The Dutch action plan on policy coherence can be further strengthened through a more active role of Netherlands through its embassies in-country in the local education groups. A joint and strengthened support to global cooperation can accelerate progress against the global education goals and having a ripple effect on key policy themes such as climate change, girls’ education, sexual and health reproductive rights and many more.
Vraag4
Buitenlandse HandelInternationale handel en investeringen zijn van groot belang voor de Nederlandse welvaart en werkgelegenheid. De Nederlandse welvaart wordt voor een derde verdiend door internationale handel en een derde van onze banen zijn verbonden aan internationale handel. Onze internationale concurrentiepositie is onderhevig aan de “twin-transities” (digitalisering/innovatie en klimaat/duurzaamheid) en verschuivende geopolitieke verhoudingen. Het is voor Nederland van groot belang om het verdienvermogen te versterken nu en in de toekomst.
Strategisch en duurzaam handelsbeleid
In anticipatie op de geopolitieke en transitie-ontwikkelingen sturen ook buitenlandse staten sterker op hun nationale en internationale beleid. Zo passen staten in toenemende mate assertievere economische diplomatie toe en zetten zij economische machtsinstrumenten in om hun internationale doelen na te jagen. Nederland kan hierin niet achter blijven. De verwevenheid van ons land met de rest van de wereld is groter en kwetsbaarder dan ooit. Als onderdeel van een samenhangend buitenland beleid, zal Nederland zich toeleggen op een strategisch en duurzaam handelsbeleid.
4. Hoe kan de overheid het duurzame verdienvermogen van Nederlandse bedrijven in het buitenland versterken?
Foreign trade
International trade and investment are crucial to prosperity and jobs in the Netherlands. International trade accounts for a third of our national income and is linked to a third of our jobs. But our international competitiveness faces risks posed by the twin transitions (digitalisation/innovation and climate/sustainability) and the shifting geopolitical balance of power. It is therefore vital for the Netherlands to strengthen its earning capacity, both now and in the future.
Strategic and sustainable trade policy
Other states are also anticipating the above-mentioned transitions and geopolitical shifts, and are adjusting their national and international policies accordingly, for instance by pursuing their international objectives through more aggressive economic diplomacy and the use of economic instruments of power. The Netherlands cannot afford to fall behind. Our country’s interconnections with the rest of the world are both greater and more fragile than ever. The Netherlands will therefore focus on strategic and sustainable trade policy as part of its coherent foreign policy.
4. How can the government strengthen Dutch companies’ sustainable earning capacity abroad?
N/A
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?
As stated by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, “When we [the Netherlands] cooperate in the region, aid and trade go hand in hand”. In line with this, international business’ role in contributing to the prospects for the local population through country compacts is directly linked to access to quality education from the beginning. Education is an investment in our most valuable resource –children and young people. If we don’t boost investments in education, 825 million children and young people in low- and middle-income countries will not gain the skills they need to successfully enter the job market by 2030. A fully funded GPE could add $164 billion to GPE partner economies, lift 18 million people out of poverty, and protect two million girls from early marriage. In particular, girls’ education is one of the smartest investments a country can make: it boosts economic growth, curbs infant mortality and improves child nutrition. Twelve years of quality education for every girl would boost economies by as much as $30 trillion in increased lifetime earnings. One additional school year can increase a woman's earnings by 10% to 20%; women with secondary education may expect to earn twice as much as women with no education. Limited educational opportunities for girls are costing countries between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings. There are valuable opportunities in fostering partnerships and alignment between businesses, GPE and partner countries. This results in empowering girls and boys through mentoring, leadership training, apprenticeships and fostering future women leaders in the workforce. GPE has hardwired gender across the whole strategic plan and has a specific girls education financing window (Girls Education Accelerator). Investing in girls’ education is a business imperative for the private sector. It is an opportunity to align investments/initiatives with government strategies to achieve the transformational impacts at scale. GPE has experience co-hosting a business dialogue on girls’ education, focused on bringing together major regional and global companies, amongst which the Netherlands has the opportunity of being a key player, and country partners to explore ways to align corporate initiatives with country priorities on girls’ education.
Vraag6
Samenwerking publiek-privaat en rol Midden en Klein Bedrijf (MKB)Een succesvolle aanpak op het gebied van internationale handel vraagt samenwerking tussen burgers, bedrijven, maatschappelijke organisaties en de overheid. Het is nuttig om aan te sluiten op de behoeftes van de markt. Waar zijn bedrijven (specifiek het MKB) mee geholpen om de exportkracht en innovatiekracht te vergroten?
6. Hoe kan de overheid het bedrijfsleven (specifiek het MKB) dat internationaal onderneemt (of dat zou willen) beter ondersteunen om zaken te doen in het buitenland?
a. Welke ondersteuning hebben bedrijven nodig om internationaal succesvol te zijn op terreinen van digitale innovatie (innovatiesamenwerking) en verduurzaming?
b. Voor handel met welke landen (of regio’s of markten) zou ondersteuning moeten zijn?
c. Wat zou de overheid op het gebied van handelsbevordering niet meer moeten doen?
(EN)
Public-private cooperation and role of SMEs
A successful approach to international trade requires cooperation between the public, companies, civil society and government. It is also useful to align with market demand. What would help companies, and SMEs in particular, to increase their export performance and innovative capacity?
6. How can the government better support companies (and SMEs specifically), that are doing or wish to do business abroad?
a. What type of support do companies need in order to achieve international success in the areas of digital innovation (innovation partnerships) and sustainability?
b. For what countries, regions or markets should the government provide private sector support?
c. What type of trade promotion activities should the government stop doing?
N/A
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?
The Netherlands can play a driving role in the field of global education and climate adaptation, and the achievement of the SDGs. Education is the natural bridge between both priorities.
The Netherlands could also take up a leadership role in focusing on increasing youth skills of the most marginalised children in least developed countries through global education/ GPE.
The Netherlands is a country of reference in the promotion of sustainable inclusive growth and climate action worldwide, playing a major role in achieving the Paris and Glasgow climate goals. For this, it is paramount to highlight the importance of putting education at the top of the international agenda as the world seeks to respond to and recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In relation to the Dutch commitment to the SDGs, at a leadership level several government officials have ‘adopted’ one or several SDGs. While this is a clear signal of the already strong Dutch commitment, this has the potential to be strengthened by the adoption of more SDGs, including SDG4.
The financing gap for low- and lower-middle income countries to achieve SDG4 is currently $148 billion/year. The Netherlands can make the most of its strong voice in the global geopolitical sphere, as well as its historic tradition of protecting those most vulnerable. Through the GPE, the Netherlands can leverage its strengths and develop optimized approaches to advance SDG 4 and provide inclusive and equitable quality education for all, especially the most marginalized children in crisis situations.
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?
The Netherlands has strong potential to further explore innovative approaches within the field of global education. This can be done in several ways through the already existing membership of the Global Partnership for Education. GPE’s unique model drives innovation to transform their education systems removing stubborn barriers to learning.
While Dutch development cooperation already brings expertise, experience, energy and innovation into the education space, this can be enhanced in the frame of a multistakeholder platform such as GPE. The convening role of GPE brings together several partners’ experience and knowledge of educational systems, including CSO networks that strengthen national and global linkages. This translates in knowledge sharing, including on how to: build educational systems from the ground up; implement innovative solutions into the education system in terms of digital learning start-ups; leverage educational technology companies that are providing solutions as well as exporting those solutions.
With GPE’s innovative financing tools such as the Multiplier, GPE will use these funds to leverage an additional $3 billion in donor funding to support transformational change. This is an example of how the Netherlands can play a central role in innovative approaches.
Dutch development cooperation is in a privileged position to also leverage the innovative education financing mechanism International Finance Facility for Education (IFFED), which aims to unlock at least US $10 billion of new funding by 2030, making it possible to get every child in school and learning.
The Netherlands can also showcase bold innovation by incorporating the youth’s passion and unique lived experiences that make them a critical voice for development cooperation advocacy. Young people are leading the charge to solve today’s greatest challenges in their communities and globally, from climate change and gender inequality to conflict and inequitable access to education. GPE provides a platform and support for young people to realize their own ambitions for social transformation and to harness their passion to drive real change in global education.
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?
The Netherlands has great potential to show even more courage by supporting young voices and fully investing in education as the critical tool to achieve system transformation. That way, education will be leveraged as the cross-cutting theme it is to all Dutch traditional priority themes.
The importance of global education financing is directly linked to the Dutch own development and foreign policy agenda. The Netherlands needs to step up and show more courage and ambition in order to overcome the intertwined challenges that all countries face, such as: recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling both climate change impact and the education emergency, overcoming poverty, create a more peaceful and equal world, and sustainably mitigating inequalities.
Within Dutch cross-party priorities, education must remain at the top political; the longer schools remain closed, the greater the damage will be. Confronted with armed conflict, high poverty rates, the devastating impact of climate change and the deepening of existing inequalities, all governments in these countries need urgent support to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of a quality education for every child. When schools are closed or destroyed, students become vulnerable to violence, permanent displacement, early marriage, forced labor, and recruitment. Against this backdrop, innovation and efficiency in achieving education for all are no longer optional.
Investments in education strengthen the fight to end poverty and curb climate change, save lives and create a better common future for all. This approach is not about “checking boxes”, but rather working together to achieve real system transformation addressing the systems that perpetuate poverty and inequality.
Vraag10
Afrondende algemene vraag10. Heeft u nog andere punten van aandacht die u vindt dat meegenomen dienen te worden in de nieuwe beleidsnota?
(EN)
General closing question
10. Are there any other points that you believe should be included in the new policy document?
The education of girls needs to be included as a key element of the new policy document, reflecting the Netherlands’ commitment to gender equality. All girls should be educated, healthy and safe and the new policy for Foreign Trade & Development Cooperation is a unique opportunity to reflect this.
Gender equality is a precondition for ending poverty, building peaceful and more resilient societies, and achieving sustainable development. Eliminating education gaps between girls and boys is a powerful way to prevent persistent inequalities from repeating from one generation to the next.
Educating girls generates huge dividends for economic prosperity, gender equality, climate resilience, public health, and lasting peace and stability; its impact goes beyond the individual, cascading into her family and her community.