''The Courier'' was 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 Global Europe, officially the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), is the financial arm of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, which provides funding for the European Neighbourhoo ...

(EDF), it was published every two months, till it came to end in 2011. Its last edition was nr 24 covering months of July and August 2011. Its overall stated objective is to communicate, explain, promote and support the development objectives and principles of the

Cotonou Agreement The Cotonou Agreement is a treaty between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States ("ACP countries"). It was signed in June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin's largest city, by 78 ACP countries (Cuba did not sign) and the ...

(art 5).

History

The decision by the European Community and African countries to create a joint publication on development dates back to first Yaoundé Convention of 1963, linking the six countries of the recently formed European Community (

Treaty of Rome The Treaty of Rome, or EEC Treaty (officially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community), brought about the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC), the best known of the European Communities (EC). The treaty was sig ...

, 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 The Lomé Convention is a trade and aid agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and 71 African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries, first signed in February 1975 in Lomé, Togo. History The first Lomé Convention (Lomé I) ...

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

, 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 previously 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 countries The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is a group of countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific that was created by the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. Formerly known as African, Caribbean and Pacific Group o ...

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.

References

External links

The Courier websiteArchives of the ACP-EU Courier (published until December 2003) and e-Courier (published until June 2007)Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of StatesDirectorate General Development and relations with ACP States
{{DEFAULTSORT:Courier 2007 establishments in Belgium 2011 disestablishments in Belgium Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States News magazines published in Belgium Bi-monthly magazines Defunct magazines published in Belgium Magazines established in 2007 Magazines disestablished in 2011 Magazines published in Brussels European Union foreign aid