Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael

Clingendael

Seminar: 'Resource Governance - The ticket out of aid for resource rich countries?' 28-29 March 2012,

The Clingendael Institute is organising an expert seminar with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the question how the EU could assist in supporting governance capacities to better manage resource policies in African countries. In this respect it is analysed if and how aspects influencing a sustainable resource management are included in current EU-Africa policies, how the transparency directive might help in avoiding the resource curse, and how support to African governments on their resource policies could be best organised.

Having an abundance of natural resources and raw materials is often considered an asset for countries. However, research has demonstrated that possessing valuable resources often proves to be the source of conflict, government corruption and environmental devastation. This phenomenon is known as the resource curse. The challenge is to govern the protection of natural resources and the sustainable extraction of natural resources in such a way that it contributes to sustainable economic growth. The resource wealth needs to be translated into tangible progress with a view to creating "new Norway's" in Africa. In that perspective a proper governance of resources might even be considered a decent alternative to development aid

The meeting - with participants from EU Member States, Development Banks, EU institutions, international organisations as well as a limited number of established experts from universities, think tanks, NGOs and the private sector - aims at a free and open discussion. The focus is on debating this issue between EU governments, without prejudice to the apparent need to engage in dialogue with the African countries concerned at a later stage.

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