1) Strong leadership is needed. For this reason it is great that EDDs have a “Young Leaders” programme. It would be good that young leaders coming from communities from all around the world would be listened to in an ‘operational’ way;

2) Five DGs of the European Commission were present in high level panels at the EDD. This is a good result but still not enough, especially if one thinks about the comprehensiveness of Agenda 2030. Of course it is not needed to have all commissioners on the same stage – it would even look suspicious – but it is important that the Commission becomes even more inclusive in the future;

3) The same goes for participants. The EDD are a vibrant occasion for sharing ideas and experiences. If it is true that universal sustainable development concerns us all, it is fundamental that new actors are involved in it;

4) Innovation has to stay there, always. Innovative programs and social innovation are the only way to move forward towards a better future. Also, creativity is a strong expression for ownership.

Those are the proposals pot forward by Silvia Sinibaldi, International Development Advocacy and Policy officer, Caritas Europa, reflecting on 10th edition of the European Development Days (EDD) that took place in Brussels last week. This edition was dedicated to “turning Sustainable Development Goals into action”.
Whether or not you attend the EDDs (here below a recap video with some higtlights), do you agree on Silvia’s 4 points ? Join the conversation and leave you comments here.

Cover Photo: Euopean Commission - Development & Cooperation - EuropeAid facebook page.