Derechos fundamentales vinculados al ámbito extrapatrimonial

Five of the six respondents were mentioning the international context in which policy ideas, approaches and principles are designed. Several international organizations and international events were mentioned such as the WTO and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (from now on: OECD). The Sustainable Development Summit was mentioned as event where the involvement of businesses in development programmes was promoted and one respondent briefly noted the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). However, the respondent argued that this organization mostly deals with developing countries, and the WTO more with developed countries (interview 2, 2015).

The Aid for Trade-initiative was seen as an approach that had influence in the past, the current Dutch approach is much broader than the Aid for Trade -principles. Two other respondents argued that first ‘Aid for Trade’ was the used approach and that the approach changed to the now used ‘Aid and Trade’ approach. Also respondents were mentioning the trend that is seen in development policies of other donor countries to combine ‘Aid and Trade’ in development policies. This trend is promoted through the existence of the OECD, an international organizations which organize debates and discussions about policies and were countries monitor each other’s policy.

“Off course we have looked to Aid for Trade [in creating the new document]. However, that means aid to facilitate trade. Our agenda is much broader. […] The UNCTAD [United Nations Conference on Trade And Development] is an alternative

for the WTO for developing countries. We are happy with Aid for Trade, also my unit.

We invest in programmes. Regional market access is very important, we now focus on regional integration and have programmes for that.” (interview respondent 2, 2015).

“At the early 2000s, in Johannesburg during the Sustainable Development Summit; the promotion of partnerships with businesses and knowledge are promoted explicitly” (interview respondent 1, 2015).

“I remember when I started in the development sector, it was ‘Aid for Trade, from the

WTO and Worldbank” (interview respondent 3, 2015).

“There have been opinion-polls of the OECD and a Ministerial meeting of the OECD. They have asked how trade and investments can contribute to economic growth in developing countries. Developing countries were also invited. The industrialised

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countries together with developing countries in discussion” (interview respondent 2,

2015).

“It is a system [within the OECD] that we measure each other. You will be evaluated by your colleague-countries. Besides evaluating, we want also to learn from each other. The other countries are very interested in the Dutch Good Growth Fund” (interview respondent 1, 2015).

Countries are also looking to each other’s policies to copy relevant aspects into their own policies. Not only the policy aspects, also institutional division of trade and development is an element that is copied.

Countries are looking to each other, for example, the UK is doing well. Denmark, for example, is looking at us. We are leading on this terrain [to combine ‘Aid and Trade’ in development policies]. Everywhere you see the increasing role of the businesses in

development” (interview respondent 6).

“The Netherland was not the first. The Scandinavian countries have it for years, also the United Kingdom, France and the United States. They have practice it in a stricter

way” (interview respondent 3, 2015).

“We are international leader in the field of Aid and Trade. Before the formation of the current cabinet, we have looked to the way other countries have organized ‘Aid and Trade’ and also the investment part. I think that 50% of the countries that we worked together with have included trade in their Foreign Affairs department. Also because of the importance of the Embassies. Embassies are related to Foreign Affairs, so for

practical reasons trade is organized by Foreign Affair” (interview respondent 2,

2015).

Second set of reasons that were given by the respondents were reasons regarding political tensions and societal influence. All respondents mentioned the role of the political parties and their opinion about development policies. The role of the liberal party VVD increased after they won the elections of 2012, together with labour party PVDA. The formation of a new government with political parties VVD and PVDA contributed to the change in policy to a policy with the emphasis on ‘Aid and Trade’. VVD is a supporter of the involvement of trade

56 into development policies and of budget cuts on aid programmes. This led, according to the respondents to a trade-focused development policy.

“The number of Minister Positions was limited and they [VVD] wanted a Minister for Trade instead of a Secretary. The PVDA wanted to combine ‘Aid and Trade’ into a broader perspective, a more integrated vision on development and globalization” (interview respondent 2, 2015).

“Government party VVD has promised during the elections to economize on development. PVDA is traditionally a supporter of development cooperation. In the current policy, there are heavy budget cuts on development programmes, less than the VVD wanted. However, a lot of programmes are benefiting Dutch businesses” (interview respondent 4, 2015).

“It has to do with the fact that Ploumen reigns with the VVD. To get along with that party you have to argue that development and investments in development are not disinterestedly but that the Netherlands and Dutch businesses also will profit from

development” (interview respondent 3, 2015).

“Before this cabinet, there was a strong lobby to put trade into a ministerial portfolio, instead of a Secretary’s portfolio. It was a wish of the VVD and of several people from the civil society. Trade is very important and does not fit under a combining secretary

of Economic Affairs” (interview respondent 2, 2015).

“The step to involve Dutch businesses is self-interest and the political debate. Like: ok,

if we still have budget for development programmes, then with advantages for Dutch

businesses” (interview respondent 1, 2015).

Another set of reasons all respondents mentioned are budget cuts on development programmes. The budget cuts on development programmes and the loss of public support are seen as a crisis in the policy field, because this led to a new policy perspective and the cooperation with Dutch businesses.

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“It is the biggest budget cut ever on civil society organizations, on development

programmes. The budget cuts took place under Rutte 1 and II […]There was no

political support and no public support to reverse it” (interview respondent 3, 2015).

“[Policy changed] Also because of the support. The Dutch people were maybe tired of the message of ‘helping the poor’. Now [with aid and trade], the Netherlands still helps and people are saying: oké, fine. So it has to do with support. To be aware what

lives among the people, you know” (interview respondent 1, 2015).

“In the Netherlands, the ‘diamond’ is very important. Government, private sector, knowledge institutions and the civil society that are in balance with each other. This balance has to stay like this. However, there has to be money for civil society organizations, otherwise we cannot play our role. […] You can see, businesses are subsidized, and NGO’s are worse off. That’s a strange way of working. There are major budget cuts on development; on the civil society organizations it has major

impact” (interview respondent 6, 2015).

Two respondents mentioned the publication of the WRR-report as the basis for the change to an ‘Aid and Trade’ –agenda. The economic angle of the 2010 policy document and the increased role for businesses due to the Public-Private Partnerships was the start of the change to an ‘Aid and Trade’ –agenda.

“It was the WRR that indicated that development is about the combination of ‘Aid and

Trade’” (interview respondent 3, 2015).

“Do you know what has been very important? The WRR-report, 'Minder Pretentie, Meer Ambitie', from 2010. Dat heeft ook wel de basis gelegd voor het beleid van Knapen. […] Knapen has also focussed on private sector development. That was the start of Aid and Trade” (interview respondent 6, 2015).

The reasons for change, given by the respondents, will be analysed in the next chapter on the role of international organizations.

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Chapter 7 Analysis II