Organised by the European Commission, European Development Days (EDD) is Europe’s premier forum on international affairs and development cooperation.

A UNIQUE FORUM

EDD has a 'GLOBAL REACH'. It attracts representatives from all corners of the globe. It is a unique platform for a EUR 60-billion development industry with partners and activities in all corners of the globe. It brings some 6 000 people and 1 500 organisations from the development community together on an equal footing, in a true spirit of partnership.

EDD has been a 'SPRINGBOARD' for the ideas and interventions of political leaders and world-renowned authorities on development. Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Muhammad Yunus, Salem Fayyad, Jacques Chirac, Ibrahim Mo, Morgan Tsvangirai, Rajendra K. Pachauri, Richard Branson, George Soros, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and late Wangari Maathai have all taken part in previous editions of European Development Days. See list of notable speakers.

EDD is an open and 'COLLABORATIVE PLATFORM' bringing together thousands of development advocates, decision-makers and practitioners. It is a unique networking opportunity. EDD is a leading platform for a yearly exchange of ideas, benchmarks and best practices. It is a “one stop shop” for the development community wishing to meet other stakeholders involved in north-south or south-south cooperation.

EDD is an opportunity to 'REFLECT ON EUROPE’S COLLECTIVE INPUT'. It is an unparalleled opportunity to brainstorm and share ideas, to benchmark best practices and latest innovations or to inform about ongoing programmes improving the impact and effectiveness of international aid.

EDD is a flagship forum that 'HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE EU' not only as the world’s largest development assistance provider but also as a leader in the international development policy debate. Indeed, the EDD offers the European Union and its Member States the chance to regularly take stock of some of its founding values, such as solidarity, democracy promotion and eradication of poverty. The previous four editions of EDD have all confirmed the role of Europe, not only as the leading donor of development aid but also as the leader of international thinking about development cooperation. They have strengthened public awareness of development issues and helped to improve European cohesion with a view to increasing the effectiveness of aid.

IN SHORT, EDD IS 'A DATE FOR THE DIARY'. In just five years, European Development Days has become a landmark event in the development calendar. It has been one of the fastest growing international forums. Launched in 2006, its scope and scale has increased steadfastly year-on-year, as links with new networks and new partners are made, and new platforms are created.

A UNIQUE SPIRIT

There is nothing else quite like European Development Days (EDD).

From Heads of State to community service officers, Nobel laureates to project managers, 'EVERYBODY HAS A SAY' at EDD. It is a forum where practitioners meet politicians. At every level, participants, hosts, moderators, debaters, and exhibitors from all corners of the world can all take part, put forward their ideas, examine creative solutions, and question responsibilities. Regardless of gender, disability, creed, colour or political affiliation, EDD allows politicians, parliamentarians, NGO and private sector representatives... to share their knowledge and experiences on an equal footing.

EDD is 'STRAIGHT TALKING'. Its informality breeds thought-provoking and candid exchanges. Participants debate the hottest topics and global challenges shaping the development community today, including climate change, water, food security, human rights, gender equality, democracy, good governance, health, education, natural resource management, free and fair trade, economic and social growth. The aim is to go beyond the expected clichés, asking the difficult questions and formulating concrete conclusions. The proposed format is in line with the principles heralded by European Development Days, namely thought-provoking, hard-hitting, multi-stakeholder debates that avoid traditional party lines and partisan speeches.

EDD is 'WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT'. Active members can book a stand, a meeting room for their network, or organise an event within the official programme. EDD is driven by those who work to bring change to today’s world. The debates are in plenary sessions or in bilateral meetings, in workshops or in the framework of parallel events, in quiet lounges or before the press. The Forum’s final agenda is the result of proposals submitted by development practitioners and advocates.

A POLICY-MAKING LABORATORY

The world is changing and differentiated approaches to development cooperation are required. European Development Days (EDD) represents an opportunity to make good use of the diversity of viewpoints and models operating in the world. EDD is a laboratory where people from the field feed decision makers with their experience.

EDD IS A POLICY-MAKING 'LABORATORY': EDD is a policy forum which highlights recent developments and important initiatives to be continued in the coming year in the key areas of development cooperation: peace, security, democracy, good governance, the economic crisis, international finance, free and fair trade, food security, resources, the media, human rights, culture, etc.

EDD IS 'CONCRETE': EDD is a launch pad for new initiatives. For example, -->the Global Climate Change Alliance was launched at the EDD in Lisbon in 2007, PLATFORMA was launched at the EDD in Strasbourg in 2008, and the the Global Climate Change Alliance was launched at the EDD in Lisbon in 2007, Natural Resource Charter was launched at the EDD in Brussels in 2010. The Chirac Foundation launched its fight against fake medicines in Brussels in 2010. The United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank present their annual Human Development Report and World Development Report. The European Union presents its European Report on Development.

EDD IS 'FORWARD-LOOKING': Each year, EDD serves as a platform for policy brainstorming and forward-looking recommendations ahead of key international summits. In 2010, the special needs of the least developed countries were addressed ahead of the United Nations Summit on the LDCs in Turkey. Two years after the adoption of the Accra Agenda for Action, key actors assessed the progress made and the challenges discussed at the High Level Forum in Busan (South Korea).