Discrimination and Development Assistance
The present study aims to assess the anti-discrimination policy of EC development cooperation. The key questions are whether development aid is delivered fairly to all without discrimination and to what extent EC development policies contribute to combating discrimination of marginalised groups. Analysis was confined mainly to the conceptual level, examining country strategy papers, thematic strategy papers, communications and guidelines.
Findings were cross-checked through the conduction of interviews with EU officials and civil society representatives. Generally, at policy level, concern for different socially disadvantaged groups and respective anti-discrimination policies have received attention, with the exception of lesbian, gay, trans- and bisexual (LGBT) issues. However, an implementation gap remains between the policy level and execution in practice. This is mainly due to a frequent lack of capacities within the EC delegations in partner countries especially concerning more recent topics, such as disabilities and LGBT. Moreover, participation and empowerment of marginalised groups themselves is not sufficiently being enhanced.
Article number: 2010-20
Year of publication: 2010
Number of pages: 46 Pages
Author: Irene Knoke