This year, the 4th edition of the European Development Days (EDD) will be held in Stockholm from the 22nd to the 24th of October. Co-organized by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, this forum brings together development actors from around the world: 4 000 people are expected, as well as 1 500 organizations active in development, and delegates from 125 countries. The European Development Days provide unprecedented opportunities for sharing ideas and launching innovative partnerships through frank and sometimes controversial debates on pressing issues, such as governance, poverty and environmental sustainability. In this framework the authors of the blog “Ideas for Development” invite you to discuss and debate around the themes of this year:

• Democracy and development Jean-Michel Severino - Development Aid and Good Governance (video)
• Adapting to climate change (new post coming soon)
• Global recession – no countries left behind Supachai Panitchpakdi - Fixing Global Finance

Use the blog to share your thoughts on the 3 themes. In addition, do not hesitate to announce the events that you organize or you have heard of which are in connection with the EDD and may interest the readers of the blog.

Until the posts are online, we invite you to read and extend the discussion of the 2008 edition: How will the financial crisis affect the South, and how can European Aid help developing countries face this challenge?

There is an increasing body of evidence that development is more sustainable in countries striving to extend their democratic governance. The idea of a European policy on democracy support is not to add further layers to existing development work. Rather, it is concerned with ensuring that development support:

• Enjoys local ownership;
• Is consistent with democratic and good governance principles; and
• Contributes to the strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights.

Democracy cannot be imported from the outside - it must be home-grown. However, democracy and its actors and institutions can, and even should, be supported. There is no one-size-fits-all democratic model. This is evidenced by the diversity in the EU itself with 27 different models.

The world’s climate looks set to continue changing at rates unprecedented in human history. Even though they are often the least responsible, our partners from developing societies are likely to be the hardest hit by rising sea levels, desertification and natural disasters. Global warming could push millions back into the poverty trap and cancel out progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Two months before the 15th UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen, European Development Days participants will share ideas on key factors for success - including investments in adapting to climate change: the most vulnerable deserve equitable funding to help them adapt.

• Achim STEINER, Towards a Green Economy - Elements of a Global Green New Deal
• Agence Internationale de l’Energie - AFD, Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments

With the global economy contracting and trade shrinking, the crisis in credit and confidence is affecting every corner of the world. The least-developed countries are seeing their access to credit evaporate, export-lead growth plummet and the delivery of aid postponed.

Looking back on the initial economic recovery initiatives taken in China, Europe and the USA, the Doha Declaration on financing for development, and the G-20 summits in Washington and London, at the EDD we will be taking stock of efforts to shield partner countries from the global recession.

The stakes are high and bold steps must be taken if we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We have an economic, security and moral obligation to act. One aim could be to outline a “pro-poor package” investing in food security and labour-intensive infrastructure projects, developing capacity for trade and boosting the International Monetary Fund’s emergency resources. Any commitments would have to take account of development assistance already promised.

• Minouche SHAFIK, Can we manage this crisis differently ? Bailing out the poor, not just the banks
• Jean-Michel SEVERINO, Dear Friends, let’s promote a Green and Social Recovery