New Belgian development policy demands courage and cuts

More with less — that could be the motto of Belgium’s development policy for the coming years. The new center-right government wants a “courageous” policy that focuses on human rights, economic growth and greater efficiency, while cutting the budget even more than its predecessor.

Understandably, the nongovernmental organization community is worried.

The new minister for development cooperation, 38-year old Flemish liberal Alexander De Croo, has big plans. In a presentation of his policy to the Belgian parliament in November, he said he wants to “sharpen the DNA of development cooperation.”

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