ECES @EDD19

ECES participated for the fourth year in a row to the European Development Days (EDD 2018). Since 2006, the EDD has established itself as a key event in the world's development calendar and is now widely considered as the 'Davos of Development'. Like previous years, the EDD event took place at Tour&Taxis in Brussels from the 18 to the 19 June 2019. 

This year EDD theme aimed at bringing together the EU's commitment to reduce inequalities: a precondition for peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies. Reducing inequalities is often essential for building peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies. All along the conflict cycle, countries remain fragile. Inequalities are often linked to the root causes of conflict and fragility. Reconstruction, recovery and rehabilitation impact therefore all dimensions of resilience, including social and economic resilience.

ECES' presence at EDD was focused on How electoral processes can promote inclusivity and build stronger societies” and illustrated a concept note produced to gather the lessons learned of ECES in this field.

This year more than having a stand, ECES organised also a Lad Debate during which ECES partners and donors brainstormed and had more direct exchanges on best practices, lessons learnt, evidence-based analysis and outcomes.

Specifically,, partners and beneficiaries as well as representatives of EU Delegations (Mr. Glenton Mashinini, Chairperson Electoral Commission of South Africa; Mrs. Anthonia Okoosi Taiye Simbine: Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture in Nigeria;  Mrs. Samar Khaled Subhi Haj Hasan, Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission of Jordan, Mr. Christian Joly, Head of the Political Section and Press Section of the EU Delegation in Kabul and Chiara Adamo, Heard of Unite DEVCO-Civil Society and Foundations) explored similarities and differences between Africa and Middle East: Africa's three economic giants - Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia - compared to Jordan. 

ECES’ Lab Debate and stand has been a hub for exchange, allowing our experts and partners to interact with visitors and illustrate its activities and future strategies as well as lessons learn from other organizations receiving constructive feedbacks on the work done so far in the field of supporting more broad-based participation in electoral processes.