1993-03-25 16:45 DEL
[UK]
45 24 98 37
P.06
SUGGESTED LINE TO TAKE: 2 APRI). ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
(a) HMG has highly appreciated the Centre's efforts since it was
established in October 1962, to act as the OECD's window to the developing world;
(b)
(C)
(d)
(e)
(£)
(g)
(h)
We note that the Centre's terms of reference (as reformulated by the OECD Council in 1971) asks "the Centre through its contacts with developing countries, "to serve as a forum for informal dialogue with developing countries on matters of common interest". And also "to continue to use its many contacts and activities to keep the OECD abreast of thinking in developing countries";
We recognise, however, that changing international circumstances make it desirable to reexamine and perhaps reformulate the manner in which OECD pursues this dialogue;
It is clear nonetheless from discussion of the Secretary- General's draft note (CDS (92)50) in Heads of Delegation last autumn that there is no support in OECD for an institutionalised dialogue with developing countries requiring massive new resources;
Any reconstructed dialogue has to be conducted within existing resources. This means the number of participants, both developing countries and the representatives from those countries attending will have to be strictly limited. Selectivity will be essential; choosing only those likely to benefit or able to make a useful contribution to the theme under discussion.
We wish to be more fully informed concerning what the Development Centre is already doing to foster dialogue with developing countries. Can its existing programme of workshops and conferences be adapted to include more policy makers in addition to academics/researchers from the developing countries ?
We also should like to know what contribution the Centre has hitherto been making to the OBCD's dialogue with Dynamic Non-Member Countries) ? Has this contribution (if any) had any negative effects on the Centre's ability to complete its core research work ? Are there any lessons for an enhanced dialogue with developing countries ?
We hope that the Centre will cooperate positively with other Directorates to help propare workshops with selected developing countries if this is eventually decided upon by Council/Heads of Delegation. "Subject to the establishment of appropriate priorities" such assistance and cooperation was clearly envisaged in the Centre's revised 1971 terms of reforence.
:
F
:
1