Development Cooperation: Everything Starts Now

Entrance of the Health Research Center of Manhiça (CISM) in Mozambique, a reference organization in Africa and one of the most emblematic projects of the Spanish Cooperation.

Now we have held the elections for every level of government possible over the past few weeks, it is time to start thinking about the policies the elected representatives have to set in motion. For instance, development cooperation, a very important public policy for the work of ISGlobal, which is why we set out a series of recommendations at the start of the electoral campaign.

At the start of the electoral campaign, we set out a series of recommendations for the development cooperation, a very important public policy for the work of ISGlobal

From the elections to the European Parliament to the local elections, one aspect of all of your votes was the policy for cooperation. Combining all the contributions from the Member States, the European Union is the leading donor worldwide for Official Development Assistance (ODA), making this one of the defining traits of European identity among the international community. The new commission and the multi-annual budgetary framework, which has to be approved before the end of 2020, should endorse this commitment of the European Union to being a global actor at a complex time.

ISGlobal recommendations on development cooperation. Read the full document here (in Spanish).

PSOE Commitments on Development Cooperation

Although still waiting for the results of the negotiations for the investiture, the most probable option is that the Socialist Party will govern. If this happens, the cooperation policy will be “the main tool to define the role of Spain in the world as a solidary country committed to the principal global challenges under framework of Agenda 2030,” to quote their electoral programme.

The expression of this commitment is highly significant. Cooperation reform cannot be postponed and comes at a key moment for redefining Spain’s role in Europe and the world.

Cooperation reform cannot be postponed and comes at a key moment for redefining Spain’s role in Europe and the world

Hence, the first step the new Government must take is to start the process of restoring the budget. Then must come profound reflection on the model that explores everything that each euro invested in development actions can provide: the impact on people’s lives, knowledge transfer, financial return, influence on international governance, etc. One fundamental aspect to bear in mind will be the added value that Spanish cooperation provides in its actions.

If there is one sector in which this value is recognised by the international community, it is health. We therefore need a strategic vision that restores Spain to a position of leadership. The contributions that can be made to this global public asset range from generating and transferring scientific and technical knowledge to contributing global funds that provide resources to implement specific measures.

If there is one sector in which this value is recognised by the international community, it is health. We therefore need a strategic vision that restores Spain to a position of leadership

Which instruments will facilitate these different types of contributions? What legal framework is required? Which stakeholders should participate in their creation? These three questions barely touch the nature and depth of the reflection that should be initiated imminently. The political commitment to development expressed by the party with the most votes is on the table.

More information

Spain, Global Challenges and Role of Development Cooperation. 10 Proposals to Transform Spanish Cooperation during the Next Legislature (in Spanish)