European Development Co-operation: Brokering environmental knowledge beyond Lisbon.

EU development cooperation has evolved greatly during the past decade. The European Union (EU)and its member states have explored ways of redefining their roles in a multipolar world in which the emerging economies are increasingly powerful.

In an ever globalising world, a growing number of challenges, such as climate change, global finance, international trade, security and migration, areaffecting people all over the globe.

These developments are shaping an international cooperation
agenda that is no longer geared towards supporting excolonies and overseas territories. Instead, it is
about reducing poverty in wider geographical area, about spreading good governance, environmental norms, strengthening institutional capacities, delivering effective aid and enhancing local ownership.

There is a growing recognition that development can be effectively pursued only if policies on the environment, trade, agriculture and so forth take account of development related objectives. In short, the EU is taking a more holistic approach to development.