This cornerstone event in the international and European agenda brought together leaders, practitioners and policy-makers to share analysis, shape best practice and map priorities for the future. The overarching thread for the EDD2019 was inequalities.
Under the overarching thread of inequalities, the agenda of the European Development Days 2019 was structures around two main themes: Why inequalities matter for sustainable development and Understanding the structural causes of inequalities.
The EDD programme was intense and broad, offering a diversity of speakers with different backgrounds, granting inclusivity, interactivity and gender balance. A total of 131 sessions (the largest EDD to date) took place. EDD 19 welcomed nearly 8000 participants, speakers and press, in addition to VIP delegations from across the world.
Regarding the Young Leaders Programme, following the successful initiatives undertaken in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, EDD 2019 saw an even larger participation of young people and youth related organisations. 404 applications from more than 99 countries were received for 15 available places, with an increase of 42% from 2018 (283). 15 Young Leaders were selected and represented 12 different nationalities, with an online application process to open up the opportunity to all youth around the world, allowing for more diversity in background, language and experiences. The selection process was an open and transparent one, to allow for the best candidates to be selected.
Furthermore, a global social media campaign was launched, #ThinkTiwce, which saw the likes of Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize winner, as official campaign ambassadors.#EDD19 was trending topic on Twitter in Brussels during the 18 and 19 June. Furthermore, 214 journalists attended the forum, which created international media coverage.
For the fifth time since 2015, the 2019 edition organised a Global Village, a dynamic and sociable area. It served as a hub for sharing knowledge, fostering sustainable partnerships and showcasing innovation and best practice in development. The Village was composed of 101 stands, allowing 381 non-governmental organisations, research centres and governmental institutions to showcase joint projects and reports.
Phrenos was responsible for managing the entire Programme, Communication, social media campaign, the VIPs, the stakeholders, security, the Global Village and the accreditation of the entire event as well as the design set-up.