Development as Innovation

Toespraak | 23-04-2013

Ladies and gentlemen,

Manuela Monteiro and I have known one another for a long time.

We first met in the nineties — when we were both running a development organisation.

And I kept running into Manuela afterwards.

First, when I led Cordaid and she was the head of Hivos.

Then, in the Dutch Labour Party’s South-North Committee.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, our paths cross once again.

Together we have witnessed an era of radical change.

New times in the Netherlands.

Millennium Goals.

A new world order.

Poverty on the decline.

Less emphasis on ODA, and more on private investment — I could go on forever.

I truly admire the way Manuela has guided Hivos through this era of change.

It was a good decision to focus on giving the unheard a voice — especially women.

For example by forming a strong alliance with Mama Cash.

And the recent emphasis on social innovation shows that she doesn’t shy away from new things.

I firmly support the search for new ideas, new solutions and new frameworks.

But most importantly, Hivos has become a true watchdog NGO under her leadership.

Both in its own right and through supporting NGOs in developing countries.

Manuela has shown a good sense of the zeitgeist without being a slave to fashion.

And that’s a rare quality in the fashion-conscious world of international cooperation.

So I’m glad that Manuela will remain a member of our Advisory Council on International Affairs.

For she can build bridges between the past, present and future of international cooperation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In a recent policy letter I set out the basics of my new policy.

The letter, as you may have heard, constitutes a new agenda for aid, trade and investment.

One of the big policy issues it addresses is the relationship between government and development NGOs.

NGOs and civil society movements give citizens a voice.

A voice at local, national and international level.

NGOs can force governments and the private sector to increase their legitimacy.

They can strengthen social cohesion and help to improve policies.

So — in my view — civil society is crucial for inclusive and sustainable development.

In recent years, NGOs in low- and middle-income countries have grown stronger – despite considerable political pressure in many of those countries.

Basically, this is good news — we all know how important ownership is.

But it also shows a need for reconsideration.

A reconsideration of the relationship between the Dutch government and Dutch NGOs.

Dutch and local NGOs should not become competitors.

It makes more sense to focus our efforts on strengthening local civil society.

But how can our country create added value?

Firstly, my government will give more financial and technical support to the watchdog, lobby and advocacy roles played by civil society.

Dutch NGOs excel in strengthening civil society and respecting local agendas.

An Accountability Fund will help local organisations to fulfil their role as watchdogs.

Secondly, we seek to connect national and international agendas, especially in regard to global public goods.

Of course, Dutch and local NGOs each have their own role in this area.

The challenge is to bring them together.

Thirdly, it’s important not to limit our support to money.

As I mentioned, in many countries civil society is under severe pressure.

Financial support in these circumstances is useless without political support from our embassies, and – where possible – in an EU context.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen: strategic partnerships with NGOs are crucial.

There are several aims behind these partnerships.

Allowing NGOs to be innovative.

Supporting NGOs in their role as public watchdogs.

Strengthening NGOs in low- and middle-income countries.

Helping NGOs to mobilise people and put global issues on the agenda.

And working with NGOs on our four policy priorities.

[These priorities are water; food security; women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights; and security and the rule of law.]

The non-governmental character of civil society is crucial to the whole endeavour.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Netherlands has a strong tradition of organising, facilitating and financing opposition.

Nevertheless, we’re cutting the government budget for NGOs.

Not before the second policy framework for the cofinancing system ends.

And not without cutting red tape ─ because I agree with Manuela that monitoring and the quantitative perspective too often get the upper hand.

But still, we’re cutting the budget ─ and here’s why.

We all benefit from our tradition of organising, facilitating and financing opposition.

Not only citizens, but also companies and government itself.

This is why we should be promoting our civil society traditions across the globe.

In an era of ‘thick problems and thin solutions’ ─ to quote Michael Edwards ─ NGOs mainly need pride and perseverance to make a difference.

That is why I believe that Dutch NGOs could concentrate on three things.

One: supporting NGOs in low- and middle-income countries.

Two: participating in international networks ─ since global issues don’t respect borders.

And three: investing in their own role as watchdogs.

By the way: I don’t mean ‘watchdog’ in a narrow sense ─ some dogs hunt, others bark or bite.

They are all useful in their own way.

For example in the struggle for land rights, women’s rights and better labour conditions.

Take that horrible gang rape in India last January.

The problem is not new ─ but the mass public outrage is.

Women’s rights organisations in India have fought for decades to awaken that outrage.

In solitude, in the margins, in anonymity.

But Hivos was there to support them.

And now history has taken their side.

That’s the real power of civil society.

And that’s the power I want to expand in the years ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We all want a world without hunger.

A world without inequality.

A world without climate change.

To move closer to a better world, we need confrontation and dialogue.

For decades, Hivos has set an example in this area.

Let me offer a quote by Manuela — taken from a book on the history of Hivos.

‘We want to keep an open line of communication,

including with those in power.

We are anti-dogmatic,

and against extremism and fundamentalism.

Putting up resistance is okay,

but in the end you have to do business.

We never close the door.’

I know from experience that Manuela puts this theory into practice.

Every time I speak in public as a minister and she is in the audience,

she comes up to me afterwards and says two things.

Something complementary and something critical.

I hope Manuela will continue to do this for a long time to come.

Because she embodies the true spirit of constructive dialogue.

And that’s exactly what international cooperation needs right now.

Thank you.

+++