European Development Co-operation to 2020 - The EU as an answer to global challenges?

By Sven Grimm

Briefing Paper No. 1 - August 2008

To download the full publication

click here (1,3 MB)

 

Summary

The world is changing and so is Europe's weight in global politics. Europe started its integration process in the area of economic co-operation and chose trade as the functional entry point for the broader aim of peace in Europe. Nowadays, challenges for Europeans are beyond their continent and beyond the Eruopean nation states.

EU citizens are aware of global challenges and see a role for the Union in external relation, as polls show. But it remains contested how Europe can respond.

Challenges are particularly evident in the area of development co-operation and external relations more broadly. This paper outlines some broader challenges and opportunities for European development policy to 2020.