BLADE

The Reality of Aid 2008 report launched in Oslo

(From left to right: Stiaan van der Merwe, Beverly Keene and John Jones)

 

Amila de Saram Larssen

 

The Reality of Aid 2008 Report was presented in Oslo this morning as part of the annual RORG conference 2008.  The report is critical of current development policies and presents the issue of aid effectiveness from a civil society perspective.  

 

The introduction to the report states that, "the reality of aid in 2008 is that it continues to fail to promote human development for the eradication of poverty based on the core values of human rights, democracy, gender equality and environmental sustainability."

 

6 steps to revamp global finance system

In a recent press release, South Centre, a Geneva-based intergovernmental organization comprised of developing countries, calls for the urgent revamping of the global financial system. 

6 action points are laid out to achieve this objective. These include the need for an inclusive process and institutional redesign, a correction of the regulatory deficit of global finance, the revamping of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the adoption of a coordinated global macroeconomic policy package, the creation of an international debt court, and the need for the system to rely more broadly on regional institutions, and for developing countries to actively cooperate in the creation of these institutions.

Purchase of fairtrade flowers has positive impact in South

Last year, Norwegians spent approximately 44 million NOK  on fairtrade roses.  Wambui Gikenya, a  grower of fairtrade roses in Kenya, talks to Jan Speed about the positive impact the purchase of these flowers has in the South. 

Testimonies of Living with Poverty

Amila de Saram Larssen

Panos London is known for the innovative ways in which it promotes the participation of poor and marginalized people in national and international development debates through media and communication projects. 

For the Living in Poverty project, Panos London along with local partners, collected a series of oral testimonies from communities in Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya and Mozambique. 

The IMF’s Overlooked Revolution

Agustin Carstens, Mexico City

As the turmoil swirling through global financial markets continues, there is a growing realization that global economic problems require global solutions and improved global governance. This March, amid the latest financial twists and turns, a significant achievement in this regard went largely unnoticed: an agreement by the executive board of the International Monetary Fund on a new quota formula and increases in quotas for under-represented members, particularly emerging-market and developing countries.

With that move, the IMF gave these countries a stronger voice in the main international organization charged with ensuring financial stability – and thus in the global economy itself. The decision, taken after nearly two years of highly technical and sometimes arcane negotiations, involved a set of measures that change the way quotas (which determine voting power in the IMF) are distributed.

Public dissatistaction with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete

Kizito Makoye, Dar es Salaam

In a dramatic turn of events in Tanzania, the motorcade carrying President Jakaya Kikwete was stoned by  rowdy mobs in Mbeya city injuring some people in the convoy.

During this bizarre incident several cars were stoned by angry people in  Kanga village after the convoy did not stop to allow the President to greet local residents who had been waiting for him for several hours.

President of Mali opens Timbuktu Manuscripts Photographic Exhibition and Book Launch

Amila de Saram Larssen

President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré launched the book, "The Hidden Treasures of Timbuktu" by John O. Hunwick & Alida Jay Boye, photos by Joseph Hunwick, in Oslo yesterday. The book launch was accompanied by an exhibition of photographs from the book. The event was part of Oslo´s annual International Week.

Evaluation of Norwegian HIV/AIDS Responses Just Out

The Evaluation Department at Norad has just published an evaluation of Norwegian support and response to HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania, and Norway’s contribution to the international response to HIV/AIDS.

The scope of the report is expansive and includes an assessment of progress towards key outcomes, factors affecting outcomes (such as poor leadership, ineffective coordination, etc.), key Norwegian contributions to outcomes, Norwegian partnership strategies, linkages between Norwegian contributions and progress at the global level and in the three countries, issues and lessons learned and lastly, recommendations.

The report was prepared by Derek Poate and Munirat Ogunlayi of ITAD.

Norad's Poverty Conference 2008: Have your say

If you attended Norad's annual Poverty Conference in Oslo Friday, October 17, 2008, please take a few minutes to complete the following survey. Your feedback is appreciated.

Click Here to take the survey

He Wenping offers a Chinese perspective on development

 

Amila de Saram Larssen

He Wenping (pictured above), Director of the Division of African Studies of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, Beijing, presented a Chinese perspective on development in Africa at Norad´s annual poverty conference.  She provided a brief overview of the history of the aid relationship between China and Africa over the past 50 years as well as highlighted some of the differences between the Chinese and Western models of development cooperation.