In 2012, the development budget is 4.3 billion euros, a reduction of 21% compared to two years earlier. The most significant cuts are applied to social organizations and bilateral aid. Multilateral organizations even see a slight increase, as does the business sector. Additionally, Knapen implements substantive changes, partly based on the WRR report.
Knapen introduces focus. The number of 'aid countries' is further reduced to fifteen. The policy also concentrates on four core themes (down from eleven): food security, security, water, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The idea was that Dutch companies and organizations could add value in these four areas. The focus shifts from social development (healthcare and education) to the economic development of poor countries, aiming to make them more 'self-reliant.' According to this government, the Netherlands can also benefit from aid: mutual interest becomes the guiding principle.
The Dutch business sector assumes a much more central role as an executor and stakeholder. Following the WRR, Knapen also seeks more attention for Global Public Goods: these are issues that require cross-border cooperation and benefit both people in developing countries and those in the Netherlands.
Notes:
Sources:
Extra:
- NOS (2012): 'Ontwikkelingshulp is belangrijk'
- Expertisecentrum Europees Recht - ECER, Ben Knapen (2011), NICC collection, A00082
- Minder pretentie, meer ambitie, ontwikkelingshulp die verschil maakt, wetenschappelijke raad voor het regeringsbeleid, Mwe. Prof.ir. M.B.A. van Asselt, Prof. Dr. H.P.M. Knapen (2010), NICC collection, A01704
- Ontwikkelingssamenwerking in bedrijf, westergasfabriek Amsterdam, 26 oktober 2011, Ben Knapen, Henk Bleker (2011), NICC collection, A01782
- Ideas Will Grow, Henk Bleker, Ben Knapen (2011), NICC collection, A02729
