BHOS-beleidsnota
Reactie
| Naam | War child Holland (Team lead institutional account management H.N. Boeser) |
|---|---|
| Plaats | Amsterdam |
| Datum | 14 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?
The just transition needs to be central, to ensure that twin transition in low- and middle-income countries happens in a fair and sustainable way. What can be done is:
- ensure that the most marginalised are not left out of digitalisation processes
- digitalisation of education materials in local languages and training of teachers in these techniques. This makes education more mobile and accessible, and resilient to shocks like displacement and pandemics
- digital employment/skills training for local economies (youth)
- Ensure that due diligence for companies include child protection/safeguarding standards, assessment on perpetuation or exacerbation of conflicts and contribution to global climate goals.
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?
Include and strengthen civil society as much as possible. A strong civil society represents the voice of the people towards companies and can help achieve the SDGs.
UN guiding principles for business and human rights and OESO guidelines need to be central to private sector engagement. By integrating these principles, companies will automatically adhere contribute to the SDG’s.
Support for programmes for youth/graduated students who return to their countries to engage in the achievement of SDGs either through employment or entrepreneurship or other (CSO) initiatives.
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?
SDG’s are not exclusively related to development aid, they should also be guiding in other policy areas. To achieve this, and in line with PARTOS, the recommendation is to apply the SDG test consistently.
In relation to climate change: all policies should include the ambition to realize the 60% reduction of emissions as agreed in the coalition agreement.
The Netherlands is one of the world’s top 10 arms suppliers, exporting warships and related electronic equipment, as well as aerospace components and surplus Ministry of Defence equipment. Despite export control systems at national and international (EU + ATT) levels, exports to controversial destinations still take place. Security and human rights concerns risk being dominated by economic and foreign policy interests.
Invest in education and training, particularly for those who have missed out and partner with local organisations and initiatives
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?
Through education: in 2021, The Netherlands pledged 50m Euros to GPE (Global Partnership for Education), with Sigrid Kaag in the lead. It would be great if NL government's investments is amplified by private sector support through an international enterpries--e.g. in digitiazation/innovation
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?
MHPSS
- The Netherlands is currently regarded by the international community as a pioneer in MHPSS in humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and development cooperation, because of its knowledge and extensive experience and its prioritization by government and civil society.
- The NL MHPSS summit established that there is a strong link between mental health and non-communicable diseases. Mental illness is the most common cause of marginalization, exclusion and deprivation, contributing factors to violence, social isolation and suicide. People with mental illness often experience stigma and human rights violations.
- We ask the Netherlands to reach out to partner countries, donors and actors, such as the World Bank, WHO, NGOs, the Red Cross, UNICEF and UNHCR, to maintain MHPSS as a priority in humanitarian aid, as laid down in the coalition agreement, and also extend these plans to cover peace building and development cooperation.
- Global mental health aid should increase to at least $1 billion a year by 2023.
Education and youth (crosscutting: Nexus)
- We strongly advocate for the Netherlands to prioritize education and youth. 20% of all youth in developing countries are out of school or employment. A lack of access to education and employment for youth, decent work deficits, fragility and migration are closely interlinked. Where opportunities for education, and economic livelihoods and employment opportunities are lacking, young people living in fragile contexts can be targeted by the recruitment strategies of extremist groups, organized crime, gang associations, or piracy. Fragility and conflict may also encourage migration (INEE).
Employment– in particular of young people – has the potential to build peace, foster the self-reliance of refugees in hosting communities and support the reintegration of formerly displaced persons upon return. In fragile settings, employment can contribute to peace (inee.org)
- Focus on providing young people with a clear access door to the labor market, in collaboration with the private sector
- By providing support to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the Netherlands sets a strong example to other countries around funding to education across the humanitarian-development nexus.
- focus on durable solutions, focus on community integration and social cohesion and access to services in host communities
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?
Scaling innovative approaches
Scaling of evidence-based innovative programs is a way to reach more people and have more impact. The Dutch government could support this by creating an enabling environment for scaling: initial investment is needed to achieve scale. Donors tend to finance the innovation phase, rather than the scaling phase. Longer term commitment is needed in partnerships because there is no immediate ROI with innovation. New ways of collaboration with traditional partners, including government institutions, as well as a different mind-set regarding financing models for sustainable scaling is needed.
Specifically on innovation in relation to MHPSS, we recommend to 1) map the percentage of funding allocated to MHPSS from ODA budget. 2) Continue the deployment of MHPSS experts through the Dutch Surge Support System.
Advancing on localisation through and achieving structural information
Localization: need to see localisation beyond ICR sharing. We are looking for a holistic approach to promote southern leadership.
Risk sharing & ICR
Supportive of ICR sharing local partners, but how and when to get there is a process that takes time. All actors in the chain need to be able to cover their costs, shifting the power is an investment to start with. There are risks associated to this change, one unintended consequence can be less collaboration with local partners, for example. We need to look at alternative sources for financing ICR as well, such as local funds or increased ICR for international NGO’s.
Furthermore: making more efficient use of the EU delegated cooperation opportunities, involving NL embassies and Dutch INGO’s for innovative 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?
Risk sharing: risks mitigation and due diligence criteria are limiting factors for local partners to access funds directly. MFA should stimulate equal access within humanitarian system.
More emphasis on education and youth: especially in light of expected increased (climate- and conflict-related) crises and migration, education is a key strategy to protect children and youth and contribute to stability, while investing in their futures.
Keep advocating for the integration of MHPSS within humanitarian and development programmes.
With the increased scaling of MHPSS services, more resources are needed to ensure that services are being delivered of sufficient quality. With all expertise available, the Netherlands can play a key role in this area (e.g. advocating for funds and working towards establishing mechanisms for routine monitoring the quality of services and subsequent quality improvement efforts).
Block grant funding within the DRA is appreciated, this flexibility allows us to develop more sustainable programming. Please advocate with the UN to start working with Multi Year Funding as well. The current way of working of the UN (1 year contracting, high donor requirements, little coordination costs for NGO’s) is sometimes in contradiction to the Grand Bargain and results in delays and gaps on the ground.
Ensuring sufficient capacity and expertise on BHOS, including clarity on budget BHOS
Support NGO’s in obtaining access to EU grants by sharing information and linking to the right contacts within EU delegation
Please continue to be bold and proactive in diplomatic efforts to protect and even expand participation of civil society in political and development processes, preventing further shrinking of space for civil society
Support NGOs in obtaining exemptions on CT measures, which might impact implementation of development programs negatively
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?
General concern: the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is, next to an immediate humanitarian crisis, also a threat to global humanitarian needs and food security. In a letter recently shared by ‘PHA’ to MFA, multiple NGO’s including WCH, strongly urge MFA that additional contributions for humanitarian aid to Ukraine do not come at the expense of pledged emergency aid intended for other crises such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia. We cannot keep doing more with less without compromising on quality or impact.