In focus “In my view, smart development supports economic growth and makes it more sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible.” when we take the local processes, ambitions and capacities of the beneficiary communities as a starting point instead of imposing our own schemes and ideas on them. NGOs and their local partners are often in a strong position to strengthen these local capacities. Does development need to be smarter? With transfer of financial resources alone increasingly being recognised as insufficient to achieve sustainable change, how do you see capacity development and capacity What is your definition of smart development? In my view, smart development supports economic growth and makes it more sustainable, inclusive and socially responsible. Businesses need stability and an enabling environment. Accountable governments need the tax revenues that come from economic activities. And people need skills and decent work so they can provide for their families. Environmental, social and economic factors reinforce each other in achieving true and sustainable progress. If one element is overemphasised at the expense of the others, the end result is questionable. We need to be smarter in identifying win-win situations and spreading new ideas and different approaches. development organisations playing a role? The Netherlands has never been a strong ‘hardware’ donor like Japan or China. We invest more in water system management than in pipes. Proper governance and capacity development is crucial for making hardware sustainable and inclusive. That is why we invest in people, organisations, institutions and networks, building on the knowledge and experiences of the past. We have learned over the years that the impact of our investments improves 12 CONNECT #2 JULY 2013 Finally – what is your ultimate yardstick for success in development? What does success • look like for you? My new agenda for aid, trade and investment aims to improve the lives of the people who need it the most. Achieving that is what makes me tick. For more information on Minister Ploumen’s Global Dividends paper and Dutch development policy, visit www.government.nl/ministries/bz. Pagina 11
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