Securing our common future
9 March 2009
“The global community faces enormous challenges. The economic crisis, food security, climate change, energy insecurity, conflict, rising population - these are challenges of unprecedented magnitude which affect us all, and in particular the world's poorest and most vulnerable. The nature of this interdependence means that it has never been so important to invest in our common future.”
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development
The prospects for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) face serious threats, as the global economic crisis undermines progress in developing countries and erodes support within developed countries. While the impact of the downturn on developing countries remains uncertain, the signs are discouraging. In Africa we need to be prepared for a halving of per capita growth rates and severe budget problems in many of our partner countries.
As risks are transmitted and multiplied internationally, so the world is perceived to be a more insecure place.
Issues of security such as:
- economic security
- climate security
- food security
- and even physical security
- have deeply common threads across countries, and help weave together the concerns of north and south.
We need to meet these challenges head on. Shifting centres of global power demand new partnerships and alliances to respond effectively. We need to ensure that our global institutions evolve so that they offer credible and effective leadership. We need to work more effectively with private sector finance, philanthropic institutions and civil society. And we need to ensure that the UK’s work across the globe maximises results.
‘Securing our Common Future: a conference on the future of international development’ will be held in London on the 9th and 10th of March 2009 and will bring together some of the leading thinkers and practitioners on international development.
The debate helps inform a new narrative for international development. This meeting takes place just before the Growth, Stability and Jobs Summit in London this April.
If you have received an invitation,
register your attendance
here (further information on the conference is also available on this link).
For any queries relating to registration, travel or accommodation, please contact our appointed events partners, M-is, at securingourcommonfutureconference@delegate.com.
If you have queries on the content of the conference please email theconference2009@dfid.gov.uk.
Further information
- Eliminating world poverty: Building our common future
(5mb) - Background paper to conference
- Building resilience for an interdependent world: Why the environment matters and what DFID should do about it
