Globalisation and International Development

The UK Government is committed to promoting a stronger debate in the UK on these issues. In 1998 and 2000 the Department for International Development (DFID) organised Development Policy Forums around the UK to share thinking and ideas on key development issues at forums attended by Ministers and civil servants. We are now planning a third series of eleven forums for the first half of 2002.

This time we want to focus on globalisation and its potential to reduce world poverty. In particular can it help to achieve the International Development Targets? The targets, which over 140 governments around the world have committed themselves to, call for the proportion of people living in extreme poverty to be halved by 2015 and for associated improvements, for example better access to health care and 100% primary school enrolment.

Achieving the targets requires an enormous effort by governments in developed and developing countries. But there is also a crucial role for all of us, whether it is working through NGOs, businesses, local government, education, unions, research, faith groups or as consumers.

Development Policy Forum 2002

• Environment and development People in developed countries consume more per head than people in developing countries. But it is poor countries that are most likely to be the victims of environmental disasters. Should we aim to protect the environment for its own sake? Or is it more important to use the environment sustainably? And what can be done to help developing countries build environmental planning into their policy-making? These questions will be brought into sharp focus in 2002 as we approach Rio+10.
• Trade and development Trade is one of the most contested issues within the globalisation debate. There s no doubt that in the last few decades, the developing countries that have grown fastest have done so by increasing their exports. But what conclusions should we draw from this? How can we do more to reduce our barriers to trade with the poorest countries? What impact does increased trade have on the poorest people? And how can we ensure that the WTO makes rules that are fair for rich and poor alike?
• Investment and development More and more money is now invested in poor countries, increasing from £25 billion in 1990 to £137 billion in 1998. But does this investment benefit poor people? Or does it lead to increased child labour and worse health and safety conditions? And how can we achieve business that is not only profitable but also socially responsible?

The Manchester Forum will be held on Tuesday May 28th. Please return this form to Anne Strachan at the Development Education Project to register your interest.

Please send me more information about the Manchester 2002 Development Policy Forum:

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My background is: 
development NGOs
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Development Education Project, c/o Manchester Metropolitan University, 801 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2QR. (0161 445 2495, depman@gn.apc.org)