Voices & Views

What obstacles do people – particularly women – face as they move between continents? And how can European countries better integrate migrants into the workforce once they arrive? These were among the issues tackled at the 2017 European Development Days in Brussels last month. But as those reaching the shores of Italy this year already outstrip arrivals for all of 2016, panellists also grappled with the role of development assistance itself.

Burkina Faso’s population is set to double within 20 years, bringing a host of development challenges. Head of EU Cooperation Thierry Barbé discusses how the EU is supporting the government on areas from green energy to justice, and reflects on regional cooperation on resilience through the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

In the aftermath of the Westgate shopping mall massacre in Nairobi which claimed at least 67 lives in 2014, volunteers have come together to mentor youths at risk of being recruited by radical violent groups and criminal gangs in Kenya. The project, funded by the EU Trust Fund for Africa, is part of a wider effort by the Kenyan government, NGOs and development partners to understand and address the root causes of violent extremism among the country’s young population.

Many children fall through the gaps in South Africa’s education system. Only half of learners in Grade 1 make it to Grade 12, and many fall short of exam requirements. The EU has been supporting South Africa’s Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training since 2004 to move towards inclusive education for all, with specific measures to support learners with disabilities and from disadvantaged backgrounds. Capacity4dev hears about a programme providing books for every child; the rise of full-service schools; and improving vocational education.

An intercultural approach is increasingly recognised as a key element in development, especially for a new and more effective relationship with Partner Countries. But how do you get from theory to practice? Staff at the EU Delegation to Laos participated in a pilot course, and share their experiences and the impact it’s had on their work.

Depression affects over 300 million people around the world, the majority in lower and middle-income countries. Living in poverty exposes people to a barrage of risk factors for mental illness, and it’s a vicious cycle: people suffering from mental ill-health have a harder time accessing services, securing employment and getting out of poverty. The impact goes far beyond the individual sufferer. In this Voices & Views we look at how development partners can support the integration of mental health in healthcare systems.

Together with the European Union, UN Women implemented a global programme for women migrant workers from 2014 to 2017. UN Women Programme Manager Inkeri von Hase shares the results and lessons learned, including the vital role of collaborating with national and international stakeholders, and developing women’s capacity to advocate for their rights.

Countries affected by conflict and fragility receive 64% of global aid, but it’s too often spent on fire-fighting, rather than the underlying causes of fragility, according to OECD experts. Capacity4dev hears from the authors of the latest OECD States of Fragility report about their new methodology for defining fragility, findings and recommendations.

Classed as a lower middle income country, Cambodia is a growing economy that is still marked by its history, notably the Khmer Rouge period. In the first of a new monthly series of articles featuring interviews with EU Delegations Heads of Cooperation, Fiona Ramsey shares best practice examples of the Cambodian Delegation’s work on joint programming and budget support, as well as advice for other delegations thinking of using these tools.

Sand, gravel and salt may have a low price per tonne, but their value for domestic development and their potential for local employment creation is significant, especially when compared to the more talked about minerals like copper and gold. With 70% of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, these humble ‘Development Minerals’ will play a crucial role in building homes and urban environments. The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, supported by the EU and UNDP, have initiated a capacity-building programme to develop this sector sustainably and improve livelihood opportunities.

Randomised control trials in South Africa have repeatedly shown that in-cash social transfers made to families with young children can have significant long-term positive impacts on the lives of those children and the future economic prospects of a country. Children in households receiving payments are typically taller, healthier and better educated and as a result grow into economically more productive adults.