This year the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organise an interactive dialogue with Dutch Civil Society Organisations and other relevant stakeholders. The dialogue will take place between May and September 2008.

Purpose of the dialogue is:
- To collectively analyse the changing (inter)national context of development cooperation and the opportunities and threats that arise from these changes;
- To recognize the consequences of these changes for the different roles of civil society organisations and the Ministry in development processes;
- To develop a forward-looking execution of these roles based upon complementary cooperation.

The dialogue aims at a broad participation of relevant organisations and individuals. One can think of international development organisations, the private sector, science, other ministries, and individual persons who - because of their background - are able to make valuable contributions. The dialogue consists of different phases and working methods with a clear and (beforehand) determined time schedule, that is known to all participants at the start. The kick off will take place at May 22, 2008. On June 24-25 a two-day conference will take place. All participants are required to make an active contribution.

Participants of the dialogue will receive an invitation, in which representativeness is aimed for. In addition it is also possible for other people to contribute to the discussion at www.ontwikkelingisverandering.nl.

The dialogue will be rounded off with a final report that will be presented to the Minister for Development Cooperation. The Minister will react to this report during a feedback meeting in September. During this meeting the Minister will indicate which aspects of the report will be integrated in the policy document for civil society that will be drawn up by the Ministry.

The responsibility of the preparation and progress of the dialogue rests with a steering group consisting of four people: two representatives of the Dutch civil society, one representative of science and one member of the Ministry (chair).