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NL Doing what is fair, or doing what is good for the Netherlands?
The note debate on the new Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (BHOS) policy paper took place on 28 September. The public gallery was packed with people from civil society. There was also great interest in this debate from the Chamber; 11 parliamentary parties were represented (SP, PvdD, CDA, SGP, PVV, CU, D66, PvdA, VVD, Volt & GroenLinks). In [...]
Strong Chamber during debate on new development cooperation note
Yesterday, the Lower House held the debate - long-awaited because already postponed once - on the new development cooperation policy paper, "Doen waar Nederland goed in is". During the debate, we saw a strong House that brought in a lot of points that we as FMS and Building Change had raised, but also a weak minister who was on many [...]
Support the FMS for more international solidarity!
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the need for international solidarity has suddenly become incredibly clear. The war has major negative consequences for many other countries. It is precisely now that different policies are needed.
Doing what the Netherlands does best: the future of development cooperation?
After a long wait, Minister Schreinemacher (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) finally published her new policy paper entitled "Doing what the Netherlands does best" on Friday evening. While it is a good thing that the budget for development cooperation is being increased, - in Oxfam Novib's words - actually "the Netherlands will soon be the biggest recipient of the Dutch development budget".
Report European Development Days 2022
''The world needs a positive investment impulse, and it needs it now,'' Ursula von der Leyen said in her speech at the opening ceremony of the European Development Days (EDD). With the new 'Global Gateway strategy', billions will be invested in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure to trigger further development worldwide.
This strategy was the focus of the two-day event, organised by the European Commission, which took place on Tuesday 21 June and Wednesday 22 June. The idea behind the annual EDD is to bring together the development community to exchange ideas and experiences to come up with new valuable solutions and collaborations.
Will you come and do an internship with us this autumn?
You can! Because we are still looking for a new intern for the autumn of this year.
Discussion on labour migration - Labour Party Congress Report
On Saturday 11 June, the Labour Party Congress finally took place again! This year, the huge event could again physically take place. Consequently, the atmosphere was good and the day was well attended. Also special was the vote on further left-wing cooperation with the Green Left, which attracted a lot of attention not only among PvdA members, but also nationally.
Opinion in Trouw: Letterbox firm thwarts our development aid
How many people would be on the Malieveld if it became known that the government is wasting billions of euros because different ministries are constantly working against each other with their policies? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is: zero, no one. How do we know? This scenario has been playing out in complete openness for years.
FMS on Africa Day!
In a few days, it will be here: Africa Day. Have you already bought your ticket?
Together with our partners, it will be a jam-packed day with sessions on a variety of topics. As FMS, we are also organising two substantive sessions ourselves.
WECF & WEP talk Feminist Forest Preservation
"They should be left standing," urges John Baaki about the trees of the African tropical forest. A simple statement that captures the core of the complex puzzle that is forest preservation. Why is it so important to preserve the African forests and what role do Dutch policies have to play in protecting them? Preceding the Africa Day workshop by Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), WECF Netherlands Director Christy Aikhorin sits down with longstanding partner John Baaki from Women Environmental Programme (WEP), to ask John all about WEP's work on gender, climate change and forest preservation - and how they are all interconnected.
