The Courier (ACP-EU)
Encyclopedia
The Courier is an ACP-EU development magazine published by the Development Directorate General of the European Commission, focusing on ACP-EU Development Cooperation
. Financed by the European Development Fund
(EDF), it is published every two months. Its overall stated objective is to communicate, explain, promote and support the development objectives and principles of the Cotonou Agreement
(art 5).
of 1963, linking the six countries of the recently formed European Community (Treaty of Rome
, 1957) with 18 countries of the African Associated States and Madagascar, which foresaw boosting the capacity of African states in the field of information.
Originally entitled The ACP-EU Courier, the first issue of the magazine was published in 1970, but it was with the 1st Lomé Convention
and the creation of the ACP Group in 1975 that that frequent publication took place.
The ACP-EU partnership was renewed in 2000 with the signing of the Cotonou Agreement
, which was revised in 2005. According to article 5, the ACP-EU Courier had a role to increase understanding of the ACP-EU partnership’s development policies. It also aimed to increase quality of information, awareness-raising and the sharing of experiences and good practices.
Production of the print publication was interrupted from December 2003 until July 2007. An interim electronic Courier (The e-Courier) was issued from June 2005 to January 2007. The magazine was then re-launched as The Courier, with its first edition in July 2007.
and to stimulate exchange of good practices and innovative approaches among ACP and EU actors. It is geared towards helping readers from ACP partner countries learn about each other and provides information about the ACP-EU cooperation model to other readers.
ACP-EU Development Cooperation
Development cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. Although bilateral relations have always been and still remain one of the main features of modern development cooperation, it was the...
. Financed by the European Development Fund
European Development Fund
The European Development Fund is the main instrument for European Union aid for development cooperation in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific countries and the Overseas Countries and Territories...
(EDF), it is published every two months. Its overall stated objective is to communicate, explain, promote and support the development objectives and principles of the Cotonou Agreement
Cotonou Agreement
The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States . It was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin, by 78 ACP countries and the then fifteen Member States of the European Union...
(art 5).
History
The decision by the European Community and African countries to create a joint publication on development dates back to first Yaoundé ConventionYaoundé Convention
The Yaoundé Convention was a convention signed in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon between the EC and ASMM .-The First Convention :...
of 1963, linking the six countries of the recently formed European Community (Treaty of Rome
Treaty of Rome
The Treaty of Rome, officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, was an international agreement that led to the founding of the European Economic Community on 1 January 1958. It was signed on 25 March 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany...
, 1957) with 18 countries of the African Associated States and Madagascar, which foresaw boosting the capacity of African states in the field of information.
Originally entitled The ACP-EU Courier, the first issue of the magazine was published in 1970, but it was with the 1st Lomé Convention
Lomé Convention
The Lomé Convention is a trade and aid agreement between the European Community and 71 African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries, first signed in February 1975 in Lomé, Togo.- History :...
and the creation of the ACP Group in 1975 that that frequent publication took place.
The ACP-EU partnership was renewed in 2000 with the signing of the Cotonou Agreement
Cotonou Agreement
The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States . It was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin, by 78 ACP countries and the then fifteen Member States of the European Union...
, which was revised in 2005. According to article 5, the ACP-EU Courier had a role to increase understanding of the ACP-EU partnership’s development policies. It also aimed to increase quality of information, awareness-raising and the sharing of experiences and good practices.
Production of the print publication was interrupted from December 2003 until July 2007. An interim electronic Courier (The e-Courier) was issued from June 2005 to January 2007. The magazine was then re-launched as The Courier, with its first edition in July 2007.
Goals
In addition to its role as a complementary tool for the Cotonou framework, other stated aims are to raise awareness of ACP countriesACP countries
The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States is a group of countries , created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. The group's main objectives are sustainable development and poverty reduction within its member states, as well as their greater integration into the world's economy...
and to stimulate exchange of good practices and innovative approaches among ACP and EU actors. It is geared towards helping readers from ACP partner countries learn about each other and provides information about the ACP-EU cooperation model to other readers.
Style
According to its website, the magazine is published in an “independent and self-critical” style, serving as “a tool for information, education and debate.” About 40% of the space is taken by the articles while 60% is reserved for illustrations and photographs.Audiences
The magazine addresses audiences worldwide but particularly those in ACP and EU countries. Specific target groups are state and non state actors, development organizations and decision makers, citizens, schools, women groups, media, libraries and documentation centers.See also
- ACP-EU Development CooperationACP-EU Development CooperationDevelopment cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. Although bilateral relations have always been and still remain one of the main features of modern development cooperation, it was the...
- Directorate-General for Development (European Commission)
- ACP CountriesACP countriesThe African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States is a group of countries , created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. The group's main objectives are sustainable development and poverty reduction within its member states, as well as their greater integration into the world's economy...