Stakeholders Consultation of the Flemish Development Cooperation 2018: “More than ever, a strong commitment to partnership and cooperation is needed”
On Thursday 24 May, the second Stakeholders Consultation of the Flemish Cooperation 2018 took place in the Herman Teirlinck building in Brussels. The edition focused on ‘taking action’ and how to implement the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Minister-president Bourgeois invited national and international experts to share their experiences.
Under the heading ‘Inspiration for action’, a broad range of stakeholders came together to share their experience and knowledge through practical examples. The stakeholders consultation consisted of 4 themes: co-creation, innovation, private sector and innovative finance. Both practical examples and projects financed by the Government of Flanders as well as projects of civil society, research institutes and the private sector were discussed.
Minister-president Bourgeois and the keynote speaker, Cecilia Njenga, Head of the UN Environment Office in South Africa both gave an opening speech at the start of the event. Cecilia Njenga emphasized the importance of looking at the SDGs from different perspectives: “Through a more holistic approach of the SDGs, we see the rise of centered partnerships, shared responsibility and the increased role of civil society and advocacy.”
During the session ‘private sector’, Tracy Chambers, founder and CEO of the non-profit organization The Clothing Bank, shared her opinion on the role of the private sector in development cooperation: "Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals - they are both essential ingredients for long-term success." The Clothing Bank has built strategic partnerships with most of South Africa’s major clothing retailers who donate their excess stock. This is stock that is made up of customer returns and end of season merchandise.