Balancing aid and trade
Trade and aid are the new pillars of international cooperation. But does it make sense to link these two together? There’s nothing wrong with finding out whether trade and aid can complement each other, but let’s not overdo it.
According to minister Ploumen, the private sector has to play a leading role in the ‘development aid new style’ by encouraging sustainable economic development world wide. But the very same private sector is often the cause of environmental problems, social injustice and poverty. Apparently, the Dutch government is confident that the policies of ‘private sector companies’ (big multinationals) regarding corporate social responsibility and sustainable economic development will change positively along the way. We don’t believe they will. Especially in times of economic crisis, when domestic economic growth is a number one priority, it will be difficult to find a balance between trade, aid and investments. The Fair, Green and Global Alliance therefore have compiled a report advising minister Ploumen on the ways in which Dutch trade can be beneficial to sustainable development in countries we invest in.
Read more about the FGG Alliance initiative in the recently published article on TheBrokerOnline.eu: ‘Trade and aid: a balancing act’
Read the full report: ‘Balancing aid and trade’
The FGG Alliance consists of six Dutch civil society organisations: ActionAid, Both ENDS, Milileudefensie, Clean Clothes Campaign, SOMO and the Transnational Institute. In its report the FGG Alliance advocates not only for binding standards for sustainability, but it also calls for the democratization of trade negotiations. The Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation should together with local organizations play the role of watchdog of the public interest.
Read more about this subject
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News / 3 October 2024
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Blog / 30 September 2024
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Publication / 24 September 2024
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News / 24 September 2024
Massive Wildfires Ravage South America
“The fires have reached proportions we have never experienced before.”
Large swathes of South America are currently draped in smoke. From Buenos Aires, to São Paulo to Asunción people struggle to breathe due to unprecedented fires raging on the continent, fuelled by extreme drought, the expansion of the agriculture frontier and rising temperatures linked to climate change.
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Blog / 29 August 2024
Local action for resilient wetlands and riparian lands of the Athi river basin in Kenya
and Kyra Pohlan
Communities throughout the Athi river basin rely on healthy and resilient semi-aquatic ecosystems, such as riparian and wetland areas, for their well-being and livelihoods. These habitats have become ever more important for local communities in adapting to the effects of climate change, in particular the more frequent and more extreme periods of drought and flooding. By conserving and re-establishing riparian lands and wetlands, groups from the Athi River Community Network do not only protect their immediate environment but also contribute to the well-being of downstream areas.
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News / 16 August 2024
Statement on the denial of legal protection by the Philippines Court of Appeals towards environmental defenders Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano
Both ENDS expresses its profound concern over the recent decision by the Philippines Court of Appeals to deny legal protection to Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano against unlawful harassment and reprisals from state forces. Castro and Jhed are two young environmental human rights defenders who were violently abducted by Filipino armed forces in September 2023, for almost 17 days, in a case that made international headlines. The two women had been working as community organizers in Northern Manila Bay, where large-scale land reclamation's have wreaked havoc on communities and ecosystems.
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Letter / 22 July 2024
Joint Call to Action: International Civil Society Demands Justice for Berta Cáceres' Murder Victims in Honduras
This is a joint call to action by international civil society organizations to call upon the Honduran authorities to ensure there is justice for the victims of the murder on Berta Caceres. Eight years and four months have passed since the crime against Berta and the Honduran justice system has not confirmed the sentences of those convicted and has not prosecuted the intellectual authors. We are extremely concerned that independent administration of justice and international agreements on human rights are not being upheld.
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News / 17 July 2024
EU Exits Energy Charter Treaty (ECT): A Milestone for Climate Action
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News / 9 July 2024
‘Dare to Trust’: Both ENDS and the Dutch Postcode Lottery team up to show the power of trust-based partnership
For more than thirty years, Both ENDS has collaborated with partner organisations around the world to advance environmental justice. Our relationships with partners, many of which span decades, are based on shared values, respect and trust. Together, we are strengthening knowledge, networks and movements, and engaging in joint advocacy aimed at bringing about a more just and sustainable world.
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News / 9 July 2024
Help the fight for a world without fossil fuels: sign this initiative
The climate crisis can no longer be ignored. With record temperatures and unprecedented extreme weather conditions, we see the devastating effects of climate change all around the world. The Netherlands has recently faced both unprecedented heatwaves and prolonged rainfall that have severely impacted our agricultural sector. These events painfully highlight: we must act now.
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News / 4 July 2024
Karin van Boxtel new director of Both ENDS
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News / 3 July 2024
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Video / 3 July 2024
Jonila Castro of AKAP KA & Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment
Jonila Castro works for AKAP KA Manila Bay and/or Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE). The livelihood of the majority of the Filipino people depends on the environment, on the seas and the lands and mountains.
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News / 3 July 2024
Illegal logging is devastating Suriname's forest: The Saamaka and their fight against deforestation
The Saamaka people of Suriname have long resisted the government's violation of their land rights. Despite a 2007 ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) against such violations, the government continues to grant logging and mining concessions on Saamaka territory without free prior and informed consent (FPIC). New report shows this has led to deforestation, land dispossession, and disruption of their livelihoods. A recent example includes a 42.7 km road built through their lands for logging access.
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External link / 2 July 2024
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External link / 2 July 2024
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External link / 2 July 2024
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External link / 2 July 2024
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Publication / 2 July 2024
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Blog / 21 June 2024
International coorperation - especially now!
This blog is written in Dutch