Part of the Danish Wider Middle East Initiative ‘Partnership for Progress and Reform’Danish mission to Yemen starts [Archives:2004/721/Front Page]

A Danish identification mission has arrived to Yemen on Monday, 15th of March, to start gathering information and analysis for the development of a program and dialogue as part of the Danish Wider Middle East Initiative entitled 'Partnership for Progress and Reform.'
The mission is headed by Mr. Mogens Blon, the Senior Technical Advisor to the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also includes Mr. Lars-Ilenrik Worsoe, Head of Section at the Middle East Department of the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs along with the three external consultants: Mr. Peter Marinus Jensen, Ms. Marit Flop Jorgensen, and Mr. Jan Kelen plus Mr. Renauld Detalle, the Human Rights Officer at the Office of the Higher Commission for Human Rights.
During its one week stay in Yemen, the mission will aim to:
– Provide an analysis of the present situation and present and potential reform initiatives, including a discussion of opportunities as well as constraints;
– Make recommendations on specific programs and projects that could be supported within the Yemen Program and identify potential for donor coordination;
– Identify areas for further dialogue and cooperation between Denmark and countries in the wider Middle East – including governments, government institutions and civil society.
The project will allocate a total of at least DKK 1.5 billion (approx. USD 246 million) for the projected period of 15 to 20 years.
It is worth noting that through a considerable number of years, development cooperation has existed between Denmark in Yemen in the form of donations amounting to DKK 340 million during 1991 and 1994 and a total of DKK 57 million was granted during 1998-1998. The aid was in the form of project and program assistance. In addition, Denmark also provided human rights and democracy aid to Yemen through various NGOs.
The projects to be implemented in Yemen during the upcoming years will include programs to support access to information; promotion of women's rights; establishment of ombudsman institutions and similar entities; strengthening of parliaments, access to justice and legal aid, other human rights activities; adult and civic education; youth; and strengthening of civil society. The activities are expected to include projects support to civil society organizations, twinning arrangements, plus direct government-to-government support.
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