BHOS-beleidsnota

Reactie

Naam	Edukans Foundation (Rianne Driessen)
Plaats	Amersfoort
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?

Tackling climate change is causing major changes in the energy market worldwide. This will have enormous consequences for employment now and in the coming years. Agribusiness and green businesses can contribute to viable, sustainable economic development and stronger economies. Economies moving towards greener production can seize the potential for job creation if they deal effectively with a structural change and transformation of existing jobs. On top of this African countries have an enormous number of unemployed, unskilled youth which are a potential workforce.
Dutch businesses who operate in or are closely linked to the green industry and do business in developing countries but are struggling to get skilled staff require a systematic change in the vocational education sector to get access to and provide youth with green and agribusiness skills. To close this skills gap improvement and innovation of TVET education is needed for this change and can be obtained by up-to date, digital, innovative, competence and real life based curricula, and integration of the 21st century skills (source ILO, skills for green jobs: a global view). TVET teachers and staff will need to get digital (training) skills to be digitalization proof. As well as the digital infrastructure needs to be in place and functioning well. NGOs with a close connection to the local labour market, to the unemployed youth, to the education system and can provide the link to Dutch businesses and are the accelerator to provide the systematic change within agribusiness and green businesses and close the skills gap.

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?

Within the effective cooperation of government - business - knowledge institutions - civil society, quality education (SDG4) is the key (factor) actor in combating poverty (SDG1), providing decent work and economic growth (SDG8) and is the driver of gender equality (SDG5), creating opportunities for all.
Governments, education institutions, education and private sector stakeholders can bridge the gap between education and productive/economic sectors, especially the labour market by increasing inclusive, equitable access to skills development among youth and vulnerable groups.
Support of youth is needed in Dutch Government and EU policy for developing countries, so the youth can acquire the 21st century skills to pursue a job that allows them financial independence by developing recovery plans, prioritizing creation of decent jobs and self-employment, and consider fiscal packages to boost their business activities. Ensuring a skilled workforce that can compete internationally and have an increased income and decent (self) employment. This will strengthen the global economic system.
Because of the effectiveness of its own objectives, the Dutch government should make maximum efforts to strengthen civil society in developing countries. Open up opportunities within Dutch (corporate social responsibility) CSR policy, and include the knowledge exchange in aid and trade policy so the knowledge of Dutch companies will also strengthen the agribusiness and green skills as well as the education system in developing countries through a hybrid learning environment. And request governments to support the schools with a further digitization and mechanization of their educational systems in aid programs to create a workforce ready for the future.

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 Netherlands’ efforts to achieve policy coherence for development be further strengthened or enhanced by embracing even further the SDG goals and supporting the EU-Africa partnership.
We would therefore like to see the following reflected in the new policy:
• Retain the central role of the SDGs in Dutch foreign trade and development cooperation policy.
• Promote policy coherence, the so-called SDG test has been available since 2019. This may be applied even more vigorously than hitherto.
• Achieving the SDGs by 2030 is an overarching goal of the entire cabinet.
•Throughout the course of the longstanding, ongoing dialogue with the EU institutions and with African civil society partners in the EU-AU partnership framework, advocate for a people-centred partnership and achieve transformational results for all. A key element to this is a meaningful engagement with civil society.
• Strengthening formal (education, economic) systems in the countries are a critical succes factor for more sustainable (economic) development and achieving SDGs.
• The Netherlands is strong in supporting the critical dialogue between stakeholders. Continue organizing platforms and facilitating the dialogue between government, business, eduction and civil society representatives to support mutual understanding and broadly carried processes.

Vraag4

Buitenlandse Handel
Internationale 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?

.....

Vraag5

Thema’s en sectoren van de toekomst
Nu 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?

A Dutch trade approach with an eye for sustainability in the local context contributes to a perspective on good quality and fair jobs and equality of opportunity for young people, women and girls in particular. Close cooperation with local civil society organizations contributes to embedding in society, with maximum added value for partner countries. A world in transition requires a vital public sector, with which quality education, good health care and social security can provide an answer to constantly new issues. A link with and strengthening of local vocational education systems needs to be made. The Dutch private sector can share knowledge and expertise with TVET’s in other countries, as is already the case in current exchange programs between private companies. This also supports closing of the skills gap between businesses and unskilled youth, that need to (re-)enter the work force. Opportunities for international enterprises are identified in African countries there are growth within the sectors flowers and tropical plants, beer and other alcoholic beverages, dairy farming, ICT, solar panels, textile industry. Youth can be quickly trained to work in these sectors to support growth of both.

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?

Strengthen local SME’s in the value chain by building their capacity to comply with the strict requirements , build their capacity to comply with export requirements and certifications (GAP, HACCP, Rainforest Alliance) etc. and marketing. Work on digital readiness. Assure digital infrastructure is in place and functioning well. There is a huge potential in the agricultural sector and transformation of agricultural products.

Vraag7

Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
Development 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?

We would like to see the following two points reflected in the new Dutch policy:
1.
Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, young people were faced with a difficult labor market; young people aged 15-24 were almost three times more likely to be unemployed than young people aged 25+. There is a lack of quality apprenticeships and internships and good instructors. More than ever, efficient support for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is necessary. Structural flexibility is desirable for adjustments to the local context and changing circumstances. This will become increasingly necessary with the current climate crisis and aftermath of the pandemic.

With the youth strategy 'Youth at Heart', the previous government said it would work on the perspective of young people. The focus of this strategy is on the themes of education and work and bridging the gap between the two. Involving young people in all levels of the decision-making processes that affect their lives. Working with young people to build a better, more resilient world for all generations. We consider retaining the Youth@Heart strategy as the central guideline for development cooperation policy as a powerful move. The youth@heart strategy should be linked well with the Aid and Trade agenda.

2.
The government recognizes that an increasing number of people, 82 million people in the past year, are displaced as a result of violence, oppression and the climate crisis. In a growing number of countries, now 114 countries, there are serious restrictions on freedom, for example when it comes to the freedom to speak up, protest peacefully, join a trade union, organize or stand up for your rights. Working on a stable society is primarily a matter of combating exclusion, of empowering citizens and of an inclusive and transparent government that is primarily accountable to its own citizens and not primarily to international donors.

That is why it is important to support local organizations with (flexible and multi-year) financing and capacity building. A strong and inclusive local civil society can build the social contract with the government. It is important that all citizens have a voice, with extra attention for women, girls and other groups that are marginalized. The Dutch embassies play an important role. They can join forces with local partners to make local impact.

Vraag8

Innoveren op OS

Nederlandse 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 strength of innovations in development cooperation is: continue to develop what works and invest in what goes well! Improve and scale up from successful interventions so that you can achieve more impact. With this in mind Dutch development cooperation can innovate more in the following way:
• Continue to support vocational education through organizations that know the local context, that specialize in implementing context-relevant curricula and that can make training more accessible to the most disadvantaged young people;
• Commit development of new funding for vocational education to the Youth@Heart principles;
• Facilitate demand-driven working by giving local organizations the lead;
• Prioritize local-led alliances when relevant;
• Reserve a percentage of funding in vocational education for the watchdog function of civil society;
• Build in flexibility to adapt to the local context and changing circumstances, this will become increasingly necessary with the current climate crisis and pandemic;
• Stimulate outreach activities and practice-oriented research from universities and other knowledge institutions to support vocational education and ongoing knowledge development;
• Join and/or stimulate national pooled funding mechanisms and national TVET working groups;
• Work on digitalization skills of vocational education actors.

Vraag9

Een donor met durf

De 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 Dutch government, as a donor, can be bolder on two areas:
1.
Make Dutch trade chains more sustainable, do not go for quick wins with larger sustainable impact. Invest in skills development. Focus on the multi-stakeholder approach and include educational institutions, among others, in the considerations. Attract investments in practical learning (on the job) and blended learning strategies. Inform the vocational education system with lessons learned and innovative strategies regarding sustainability and climate change. And listen to young men and especially women through platforms and support them in their search for decent jobs in the formal and informal sectors. Create facilities for young women and other marginalized groups to access decent work. Through social dialogue, the poor working conditions that are the cause of much poverty and inequality can be removed. Stimulate further European development cooperation coordination and harmonization.

2.
Dutch Government needs to emphasize in their policy and conversations that governments and international networks need to build in flexibility and financial reserves to adapt to the local context and changing circumstances within education. This will become increasingly necessary to react quickly to consequences of the current climate crisis and or a new pandemic.
Governments can achieve this by for example implementing the UNESCO recommendation of allocating 4% to 6% of the GDP and/or 15% to 20% of the national budget to education, with low-income countries aiming for the upper end of these financing targets to achieve the African education agenda and UN SDG 4.
This will result in creating equitable education opportunities for children and young people to shape their futures with confidence.

Vraag10

Afrondende algemene vraag

10. 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?

Pay neatly our 'fair share'. Concrete examples:
Education: Although access to primary education has increased significantly worldwide, approximately 260 million children are still out of school (Source UNICEF). Moreover, the quality of education in many countries is poor: 617 million children cannot count or read after their school career. As a result of school closures due to the COVID19 pandemic, recent conflicts and a growing climate crisis, educational disadvantages among children and young people in developing countries have increased. Young people do not return to school for various reasons: they have entered the (child) labor process, girls have been married off or became pregnant or teachers are no longer available because they were not paid further during the pandemic and had to look for another job.

Education resolves conflicts, reduces poverty and social inequalities, and promotes sustainable growth and climate action. Education contributes to the development of critical global citizenship and strengthens the role of women. Education ensures that people can build an independent existence. The entire education system plays a role in this: from primary education to lay a solid foundation to tertiary education to find a job on the labor market. Sufficiently well-trained and motivated teachers are essential in this regard.

Climate: Although it was agreed at COP21 in Paris in 2015 that rich countries will rectify their historical debt from 2020 by supporting developing countries with 100 billion dollars per year, it seems that this amount will not be achieved. The current agreements on this in the coalition agreement are insufficient. In addition, the developing countries have campaigned to set up a 'financial facility' to compensate for climate damage in developing countries. Here lies a great task for Europe and the Netherlands.

Humanitarian: According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2022, an estimated 274 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year. The Netherlands has traditionally been a reliable and flexible donor, but the Netherlands also contributes too little compared to a fair share. The Netherlands should contribute 951 million euros to humanitarian aid. In the budget of 2022, 438 million euros has been budgeted, an additional contribution of more than 500 million euros is still required. Adding to this, education in emergencies needs to be a stronger topic within Dutch humanitarian support.