Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

Abstract:

For more than forty years now, the topic of financing for development has consistently been a central topic in International Relations and on the political agenda of the UN. Despite this theme's centrality, it was not institutionalized in the UN-framework until 1997. In 1991 Javier Perez de Cuellar, then UN- Secretary General, suggested a UN-conference on Financing for Development. This initiative was strongly supported by the Economic and Social Council as well as the UN-General Assembly, but the United States and the European Union prevented a high level conference until 1997. What was instrumental in causing this shift towards inclusion? Why in 1997 did UN-delegates suddenly agree on a landmark resolution to reinitiate dialogue on ?Financing for Development?, which should culminate in ?a summit, an international conference, a special session of the General Assembly, or other high-level international intergovernmental forum? no later than the year 2001?

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http://www.boell.org/docs/ppps.pdf