The Hague Academy at the European Development Days

Last week The Hague Academy for Local Governance presented itself at the European Development Days in Stockholm. Some 5000 participants and 1500 organisations from the development community were present to discuss issues of democracy, climate change and global economy matters in relation with development. To view the photo's with Mr. Barroso follow this link.

The Hague Academy promoted strengthening good local governance as the foundation of democracy.  At our stand we received many mayors, people from civil society organisations, policy makers and field workers of development agencies and found that we are not alone in believing that strong local governments and empowered citizens are crucial for development.

_{The Hague Academy general manager Cecile Meijs with a representative from Yabassi municipality from Cameroon.}

For The Hague Academy the European Development Days have been very fruitful to promote our training courses and get to know many more practitioners from the Development Cooperation field. We also gained new inspiration and ideas from the people for whom we design our training courses.

To make more people aware of the importance of having a local focus in development issues and the work of the The Hague Academy we had arranged for EC President Barroso to come to our stand for a photoshoot. This showed an incredible tool to get connected to more and more people as well a time of great fun. With Mr. Barroso we had the honor to receive Dutch Minister of Development Co-operation Mr. Koenders who showed particular interest in our service delivery course.

_{As Mr. Barroso had to leave early he sent us a very good stand-in. Here with Dutch Minister Mr. Koenders.}