From regional consultations to EU policy

The European Union (EU) has become the largest provider of democracy assistance in the world, yet little is known of what others think of it as a partner. Through a series of global consultations, International IDEA set about finding how the EU can best assist democracy building efforts worldwide by getting feedback on the impact of its democracy building policies and practices. As input to the Swedish Presidency, the recommendations arising from these consultations were positively received by the EU and incorporated into the European Parliament Resolution of October 2009 on democracy building in the EU’s external relations. Moreover, in November 2009, they were incorporated into the EU Council conclusions on democracy support and its Agenda for Action on Democracy Support in EU External Relations.

Throughout 2008 in the lead up to the Swedish EU Presidency the following year, IDEA mobilized its network of partner organizations in Africa, Asia, the Arab World, Latin America and the Caribbean, conducting consultations with a wide range of individuals and organizations in these regions that were familiar with EU democracy assistance on the ground.

As expected, while the assessments varied from region to region, there were many common viewpoints and perspectives. The most crucial viewpoints were summarized in the main recommendations emerging from the consultations: the EU needs to tap its own experience to inform external action; apply a broader understanding of democracy; stand by its long-term commitments; and move towards genuine partnerships – presenting a sound basis on which the EU could adjust its policies and respond better to the needs of its partners worldwide.

The findings of the global consultations were presented to Swedish Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson when Sweden took over its six month presidency of the EU in July 2009. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009, the EU is setting up the European External Action Service towards the end of 2010 that will operationalize certain EU activities and programmes. The challenge now is how this Service will move on the EU Council’s conclusions and Agenda for Action over the forthcoming years.