This was the core message of the second edition of the Latin America - Europe Encounter, which was organized by NIMD and 11 other NGOs on 26 May in The Hague. Special attention was paid to energy supply and food security. The abundance of natural resources (oil, bio-fuel) makes the Latin American continent an important player.
 
Global democratic governance
 
In his key note address Mr Marcel Fortuna Biato, Presidential Advisor of Brazil, stressed the importance of a multilateral approach in dealing with global problems such as food security, environment and migration. For this to be successful, the governance structures at the world’s highest decision-making level should be more democratic and fair, referring to the present strong authority of western countries.
 
Equal partners
 
Biato’s plea for multilateralism and global cooperation was in line with the message that the Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation Bert Koenders conveyed to the conference. Referring to the growing energy scarcity and the search for new solutions, the Minister advised Europe to strengthen its relationship with Latin America, which has elaborate experience in bio-fuel production. With their richness in natural resources Latin American countries will become an attractive competitor to oil exporting countries in the Middle East.

While stressing the importance of stronger ties, the Dutch MP for the Christian Democrats (CDA) Ms Kathleen Ferrier pleaded for a truly equal partnership without traditional ‘donor – partner’ perceptions: “Europe needs Latin America more than before, with our global problems and shifting power relations. Europe’s sense of superiority hampers honest cooperation. The time of Europe taking Latin America’s measure is over.”
 
The conference attracted some 200 participants, including representatives from political parties, the diplomatic corps, the private sector, various ministries, NGOs and academics.

Key speakers at the conference included Mr Marcel Fortuna Biato (Presidential advisor International Relations, Brazil), Mr José Antonio Sanahuja (Research institute Madrid), Mr Laurence Whitehead (Oxford University), Mr Enrique Iglesias (Secretary-General of the General Ibero-American Secretariat SEGIB), Mr Alberto Müller Rojas (Presidential Advisor International Relations, Venezuela), Mr John Verbakel (Vice President Foods R&D, Unilever) and Ms Marie-Anne Coninsx (European Commission).
 
 
Further reading 
 
Read more at the Netherlands World Service: “Divided Latin America’s common problem: the EU” (English - Spanish – Dutch, 26 May 2008)

The conference report will be available in due course. Please contact SID-Netherlands Chapter for more information at: ++ 31 (0) 70 338 3287 or email v.riverasantander@socires.nl.
 
 
Cooperating organizations