On 28-29 January 2025, we participated in the Eurodad International Conference 2025: 'A Once in a Decade Opportunity to Achieve Economic Justice'.

Held in Barcelona, the conference brought together around 200 experts from all over of the world, working on economic justice. It provided a unique opportunity to share ideas and plan ahead of the UN Financing for Development Conference (FfD4), which will take place in Sevilla, Spain, in July 2025.   

The first day opened with a plenary discussion and continued with breakout workshops on i) tax justice; ii) debt justice; and iii) development finance, happening concomitantly. The day concluded with a plenary panel addressing how local struggles challenge global agendas. 

The second and final day began with a plenary panel discussing why FfD4 should be a feminist agenda. This panel highlighted how the economic crisis, including the debt crisis, disproportionately affects women and underscored the need for a feminist agenda that is transformational for all. Panelists emphasised the importance of making women’s participation truly meaningful and impactful in the FfD4 process. The panel was followed by breakout workshops on i) European civil society’s role to make Sevilla a success; ii) Bretton Woods institutions advocacy strategy on the road to FfD4; and iii) Advancing debt and climate demands in 2025. The latter was divided into group discussions respectively focusing on i) debt & fossil fuel; ii) a potential UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt; and iii) false solutions regarding debt and climate finance.  

During lunch break, we attended an informal meeting organised by the End Austerity Campaign, in which members and allies shared their research and advocacy plans to pursue the fight against austerity. 

In the afternoon, a plenary panel took place, entitled 'What Does a Successful FfD4 Conference Look Like? What Are the Consequences If Governments Fail to Deliver?'. Panellists called on the Spanish Government in its capacity as FfD4 host country to push for the negotiations to take place in a principle-based democratic system and for UN Member States to honour their pledges. They also called for the inclusion of justice and reparations in the FfD4 outcome document. Panelists equally urged all civil society organisations to continue the mobilisation towards pushing for our common agenda at FfD4. Panelists finally called for the adoption of a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt. 

The conference was concluded with some participants sharing their key takeaways from the 2-day event. 

At the end of the event, GI-ESCR and other members of the Privatisation in Education and Human Rights Consortium (PEHRC), who were in Barcelona, held an informal meeting to explore further synergies around public services financing ahead of FfD4.