Files

2018_ACROPOLIS_EP_3DLO_Final.pdf
  • Open Access
  • Adobe PDF
  • 1015.6 KB
Download

Details

Authors
Abstract
Belgian development cooperation is undergoing multiple reforms towards more integrated actions intending to improve the effectiveness of its interventions. In line with international debates and engagements, more coherent approaches are promoted. They include all different channels and actors and involve those best fitted to reach the objectives of Belgian foreign policy. In this context, the research group ‘Governance for development’ was asked by DGD to study two particular aspects: i) the trend towards a Comprehensive Approach (CA) that optimizes cooperation between actors, primarily the different federal departments, engaged in Belgian foreign action at large; ii) the implementation of an integrated country policy (or ICP) for development that optimizes collaborations between all actors of Belgian development cooperation around a country intervention strategy. This paper addresses the issue of the Comprehensive approach. In the words of the ACROPOLIS call for proposal, what was then called the 3D-LO (Development, Diplomacy, Defence – Law and Order) approach “also contributes to a coherent strategy at the national level, a unity of purpose in which every instrument of our foreign policy plays its part while staying in line with its own objectives (...). [It is] a tool to achieve better effectiveness of interventions addressing (human) security issues, and a more integrated approach in contexts of fragility, crisis or conflict. It is also a step towards a more integrated country-level approach encompassing all government and non-governmental stakeholders”. To succeed in such an ambitious reform, it is essential to clarify its context, meaning, and existing practices at Belgian level, as well as to look at international experiences from which lessons could be learned. In tackling all these aspects, this paper provides food for thought to Belgian stakeholders and wishes to lay the foundations for the debate and reforms carried out. The paper consists of two parts. The first part synthesizes Belgian and international evidence on comprehensive approaches. It aims to answer the following questions: what is it, and why and how does it matter? What is called for in a CA? What is the significant practice of other donors (positive or negative)? The second part presents the results of the survey carried out between June and September 2017 with Belgian actors (public, private and civil society) involved in Belgian foreign policy, from development sector to foreign affairs, trade, police, justice, migration, etc. The survey focused on the perceptions, practices, and references of Belgian stakeholders on integrated approaches, both in regards to the Comprehensive approach (referred to as 3D-LO in the survey) or the ICP. The answers analysed in this evidence paper logically mostly originate from the answers provided for the questions relating to the CA. As such, 48 actors have been taken into account in the survey results analysis. Nonetheless, the answers from around 20 ICP questionnaires were also integrated in the analysis as they addressed CA related issues.
Affiliations

Citations

  • APA
  • Chicago
  • FWB

Klimis, E., Vervisch, T., Leclercq, S., Matagne, G., & Martini, J. (2018). A Comprehensive Approach for Belgian Development Cooperation. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/251783