In 2017 alone, EDD welcomed 8000+ participants, 130 sessions, 618 speakers with the representation of 154 countries. This was given global visibility through a truly integrated communication campaign, which reached over 1.5 million viewers through the EuropeAid Facebook platform.
The EDD marked their 11th edition this year with more than 8.000 participants, who gathered in Brussels from 7 to 8 June in Tour & Taxis to discuss innovative development practices for a more integrated and common approach. They engaged in more than 120 sessions, including high-level panels, debate labs and brainstorming sessions, proving once again that the international development community is committed to actively engage and build a sustainable and fairer world together. The forum builds on the core belief that international cooperation, involving all actors, is the cornerstone of a fairer world. The EDD, once again, aim at encouraging an even greater and deeper collaboration and a spirit of true partnership by facilitating networking and exchange of best practices. The EDD are a participatory and open forum; around 80 % of the programme is designed by the EDD Community itself, which makes this event unique and particularly appreciated.
Investing in Development The overarching theme of EDD 2017, ‘Investing in Development’, was explored and debated in depth by governments, international organisations, civil society, donors, the private sector and experts in development. EDD 2017’s 120 sessions were grouped under the following 3 main themes and 16 sub-topics: 1. Investing in people and planet: young people / gender equality and women empowerment / migration and mobility / demography and development / inequalities / sustainable energy and climate action; 2. Investing in prosperity: sustainable investment / domestic resource mobilisation / trade and fair globalisation / decent jobs / digitalisation; 3. Investing in peace and partnerships: partnering with the private sector / building global partnerships / engaging with middle-income countries (MICs) / partnerships for civil society organisations (CSOs) and local actors / fragility and resilience. Three crosscutting themes have also been identified: gender, youth and the private sector. Particular emphasis was given to private sector involvement, as the 2030 Agenda and the European Consensus on Development acknowledge the importance of the international and domestic private sector as an essential driver to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).