Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Development Co-operation Review of Greece Abstract: As a result of its geographic location, Greece’s own security and welfare is closely linked to stability and economic prosperity in developing and transition countries in the Balkans, the Black Sea area and the eastern Mediterranean. As a developed and stable country in these complicated multicultural regions, Greece responds to development challenges in its neighbourhood. Greece also perceives it has a significant comparative advantage here, due to shared history and cultural interaction, a high degree of mutual understanding, good political and trade linkages and its own recent development experience. Encouraging democratic practices and sustainable economic development in surrounding regions is consequently in Greece’s national interest and the main strategic orientation of the official Greek aid programme. Greece provides targeted support to regional initiatives consistent with this orientation, such as the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe (a Greek official currently chairs Working Table I on Democratisation and Human Rights). More than four-fifths of Greece’s bilateral official development assistance (ODA) is provided to developing countries in south-eastern Europe... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 13-80 Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGNXR Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Development Co-operation Review of Spain Abstract: Spain is to be commended for the notable progress made in development co-operation since the last Peer Review. Important achievements include the adoption of a comprehensive Law on International Development Co-operation and a four-year Master Plan (2001-2004), improved annual plans, and reinforced or new co-ordinating bodies. The purpose of the reform was to enhance consistency and coordination within the diverse Spanish aid system, which includes many ministries, autonomous regions, local authorities, and civil society organisations. A significant achievement of the new policy is that it establishes poverty reduction as the overarching goal in development co-operation. Gender equality and environment are also determined as mainstreaming priorities. Spain seeks to focus its poverty reduction efforts on basic social needs and a new micro-finance programme is an important addition. Spain has a comparative advantage in its assistance to Latin America with strong linguistic, historical, and cultural ties. Spain has had recent experience of building a democratic state and can add value by sharing lessons-learned with partner countries in innovative and risk-taking areas of good governance. In this respect, it can conduct dialogue with developing countries in areas that are difficult for other donors. Major activities through institutional development include judicial reform, decentralisation, tax administration, and police force training. These are areas in which Spain could take on a lead role in pursuing a sector approach with other donors... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 11-67 Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGNWD Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Gender and Economic Reform Abstract: "Gender and Economic Reform" clarifies the complex relationship between gender and the way economies operate. It contends that incorporating gender analysis into the design and implementation of economic reform helps to promote the emergence of economies that grow sustainably, in ways that reduce gender inequalities rather than reinforce them. The analysis is particularly relevant in the current context in which gender equality is a proclaimed Millennium Development Goal and the Monterrey Consensus calls for gender sensitive programming. The paper is meant to improve policy makers’ ability to dialogue on what the relevant links might be between gender and economic reform and how to take gender into account in designing and implementing reform programmes. Throughout the document, a number of tools for integrating gender equality into economic policy analysis and decision-making at the national or sector-wide levels are presented. These tools focus on producing a new shared understanding of underlying economic and social relations in order to promote the achievement of a gender-balanced path of economic growth. The document is based on a large body of secondary material written over the past decade by gender specialists and other experts led by Professor Diane Elson et al. on behalf of the former Task Force on Gender and Economic Reform. It includes a summary of key concepts contained in six documents issued by the DAC Working Party on Gender Equality as Workshop Documents Nos. 1 to 6 (OECD 1998). It comes as a complement to the work conducted by that group on gender and sector-wide approaches and will be particularly useful in the light of ongoing work on gender-sensitive budgeting... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 7-42 Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGNVB Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Strategic foundations and new orientations Abstract: External relations policies, including development co-operation, have been evolving rapidly in the 1990s as the European Community (EC) took on greater responsibilities. Following intense political debate about accountability, in 2001 the EC made major improvements to its development policy and embarked on far-reaching management reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its aid programme to reduce poverty. This Peer Review assesses the situation after one year of the process expected to last until 2004. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 23-32 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35ZX Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Aid volume, channels and allocations for poverty reduction Abstract: The EC supports development activities through the EU budget lines for external relations and the European Development Fund (EDF). Poverty reduction is the primary aim of the EC’s new Development Policy and the challenge for the EC is to align its development assistance instruments with this perspective. The EC’s official development assistance (ODA) has been increasing steadily during the 1990s. The EC has a twofold role. First, it is similar to a bilateral donor providing support directly to countries. Second, it has an important role in relation to Member States, co-ordinating their efforts. Further work will be needed to strengthen the impact of EC ODA on poverty reduction, through action to speed up commitments and disbursements, by linking ODA with other political and trade activities, and more effective country and sector allocations. Improvements in the allocation process will have to meet several strategic requirements. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 33-46 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35XT Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Sectors and cross-cutting issues Abstract: In order to increase efficiency, the EC has defined six priority areas for its activities, and three key cross-cutting issues. The clearer focus reflects an understanding of the comparative advantage of the EC regarding the linkage of trade and political dialogue with development co-operation and complementarity with the Member States. The overall policy framework for development co-operation and the sectoral action plans show the linkages to poverty reduction. The increasing use of sector wide approaches, including budget support, are also intended to increase country ownership, efficiency, and effectiveness. The EC will still face capacity challenges to develop its implementation strategies and policy dialogue. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 47-56 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35WG Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Policy coherence Abstract: The EC has made a systematic attempt to improve policy coherence with development objectives. The "Everything but Arms" initiative is an important example of how further policy coherence is being sought between trade and development policies in the external relations area. There remain several policy coherence challenges, especially where internal EC policies, such as the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy, come into contact with development policy. New institutional mechanisms have been developed in the EC reform process, and these help to address several coherence challenges. These could be further developed to address more complex issues. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 57-68 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35TL Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Organisation and management change Abstract: The organisation and management of EC development co-operation is embedded within the broader, and more political, external relations framework. Current reforms include more strategic and streamlined approaches, reorganisation in headquarters, and "deconcentration" of implementation authority to the field. These reforms are more sharply defining the vision, responsibilities, and processes of European aid institutions. It will be a challenge to ensure that these organisational and management reforms are increasingly results-oriented. The transition to this new form of management culture has only begun and will require a longer-term political commitment from European leadership to be successful. To implement this more strategic and developmentally oriented mandate also requires more human resources. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 69-80 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35S7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Country ownership and operations Abstract: The EC reforms aim to improve operational effectiveness in partner countries. Recent policy emphasis on poverty reduction, host country ownership, the use of CSP and PRSP mechanisms, deconcentration, and results orientation, among other reforms, are now beginning to be systematised in the field. These new directions are at various levels of implementation and already suggest the utility of close Delegation-Headquarters collaboration. Monitoring of system innovations is necessary to adjust to the realities of local implementation. Peer Review feedback suggests that both host country ownership and EC effectiveness would benefit from a further extension of field authority to engage in strategy development and policy dialogue. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 81-86 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35R5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Aid Responses to Afghanistan: Lessons from Previous Evaluations Abstract: "Aid Responses to Afghanistan: Lessons from Previous Evaluations" was a key background paper prepared by Niels Dabelstein for the DAC Experts’ Meeting on "Afghanistan Reconstruction and Recovery: Seeing Round the Corner" (May 2002, OECD, Paris). It was also discussed at the DAC Senior Level Meeting in December 2001. The DAC Afghanistan meeting provided some useful independent advice to policy makers and practioners by discussing openly the complex, fundamental issues underpinning reconstruction and relief strategies. Participants delved into questions of governance and security, capacity building in government and civil society, and the regional dynamics, such as the role of the war economy; topics that were in keeping with the broader set of priorities identified at the Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, 21-22 January 2002 and the Implementation Group meeting on 10-11 April 2002. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2002 Pages: 87-159 Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2K35Q2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Development Co-operation Review of The United States Abstract: The United States has a substantial impact on promoting economic growth and reducing poverty in developing countries due to the large size of its economy, its ability to influence world opinion and action and its weight within the international donor community. In 2001 the United States was the largest donor in the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in volume terms, reporting net official development assistance (ODA) of USD 10.9 billion, more than one-fifth of the DAC total. This represented 0.11% of its gross national income (GNI), the lowest ODA/GNI ratio in the DAC and below the DAC average country effort of 0.40%. President Bush recently announced a bold new proposal, the “Millennium Challenge Account” (MCA) for an additional USD 5 billion annually by 2006. If approved by Congress, the MCA will consolidate the American position as the largest donor, and slightly improve the country’s ODA/GNI performance. The American “checks and balances” system of government has some important ramifications for United States development co-operation. This approach implicates a wide range of stakeholders in budget decision-making, especially through the Congress. Flexible approaches to compromise are standard features of the American system, especially for issues of a short-term nature that respond to national or special interests. Addressing long-term issues related to development co-operation can prove more difficult because they lack urgency or a sufficiently strong and influential domestic constituency. Several of the issues raised in the 1998 DAC Peer Review are being addressed by the current Administration. However, some important development issues, including those relating to Congress, to the basic structure of American aid administration, or to the promotion of policy coherence for development, have proven more resistant to change and are noted again in this review... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 15-129 Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGKLV Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Development Co-operation Review of Canada Abstract: The last Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Review of Canada’s development co-operation, held in January 1998, highlighted Canada’s special ability to help lead the international community towards action which pushes out the frontiers of international co-operation. At the same time it noted that, in the context of a fundamental fiscal adjustment to respond to its domestic public debt burden, Canada’s aid budget had been cut by 29% over six years, more than in any other area of Canadian public spending. As a result, Canada’s official development assistance effort (as measured by the ODA/GNI ratio) had declined steeply from 0.45% at the beginning of the 1990s and was projected to fall below 0.30% by the end of the decade. (In fact, partly reflecting fast growth in Canada’s gross national income (GNI), the ODA/GNI ratio fell to 0.25% in 2000 and 0.22% in 2001). The DAC pointed out that these trends had created a paradox at the heart of Canada’s internationalism, given the continuing determination to be involved in a very wide range of issues and with as wide a range of partners as possible. This paradox raised concerns about Canada’s ability to meet expectations, both at home and abroad, for its role in the world... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 9-85 Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGKKH Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Papers on Official Development Assistance (ODA) Abstract: When large-scale aid programmes to developing countries began in the 1950s and 1960s, new concepts and definitions were required to measure and compare donors’ efforts. One of the key contributions of the Development Assistance Committee was to codify the notion of foreign aid under the name "official development assistance" (ODA). The DAC developed the ODA definition in the late 1960s and gave it its final form in 1972. The documents below discuss what the definition means in practice, which countries are eligible for ODA, and what progress donors have made towards achieving the UN target for ODA of 0.7% of their national income... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 5-35 Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGKJF Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Development Assistance Committee High Level Meeting, 22-23 April 2003: Press Statement by the Chairman, Mr. Jean-Claude Faure Abstract: With the international development community decisively embarking on implementing the commitments entered into in Doha, Monterrey and Johannesburg, the 2003 DAC HLM focused its attention on further progress to improve policies and strategies, practices and performance linked to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular through massive poverty reduction. Maintaining this focus is essential at a time of worrying uncertainties in the international economic and political environment... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 3-6 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHQ0S Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Trade Capacity Building: Experiences in an African Context Mombasa Regional Workshop, 26-27 August 2002 Abstract: These are some of the questions discussed at the Regional Workshop on Trade Capacity Building: Experiences in an African Context that was held in Mombasa on 26-27 August 2002, organised jointly by the OECD Development Co-operation Directorate, the OECD Development Centre and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. This section contains the Workshop discussions and a selection of the papers presented by participants. It represents a unique mix of concrete on-the-ground experiences and case studies, from a wide array of African stakeholders and representatives from international organisations and bilateral donors. The report outlines key elements of fostering a stakeholder dialogue on trade policy as a means of building trade capacity and reviews tools and mechanisms available to support this process... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 7-100 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHPZQ Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Strengthening Procurement Capacities in Developing Countries: Summary Report of the OECD/DAC – World Bank Round Table, Paris, 22-23 January, 2003 Abstract: The Round Table on Strengthening Procurement Capacities in Developing Countries is a joint DAC / World Bank initiative. The overall objectives of the Round Table process are to identify and address key procurement capacity building needs and to build procurement systems in developing countries around which donors can harmonise their procedures (building on the DAC Recommendation to untie ODA to the Least Developed Countries and linking up to the work of the DAC’s Task Force on Donor Practices). This first meeting (three meetings are planned over 2003-2004) had the objectives of arriving at a shared agenda between participants and setting out a business plan to work out a limited number of concrete and demand-driven products over the biennium... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 5-16 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHPXX Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Integrating ICT in Development Programmes: Joint OECD/United Nations/World Bank Global Forum on the Knolwedge Economy, 4-5 March 2003 Abstract: There is broad agreement that information and communication technologies (ICT) can play an important role in combating poverty and realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The ongoing challenge is to integrate ICT effectively into national development plans and donor programmes, to co-ordinate more effectively the efforts of various donors in this domain, and to share knowledge on ’what works and why’ in harnessing ICT for development... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 5-22 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHPWK Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Public Opinion and the Fight against Poverty Abstract: The evidence shows that citizens in OECD DAC member countries want more solidarity and justice in the world. They support international development co–operation, and if they were more and better informed, if their capacity to critically engage in the policy debate was stronger, they could be a precious constituency for its reform and improvement. There lies an opportunity for governments, especially for those that have pledged to increase their ODA, to kick–start a virtuous circle of transparency and reform, and effectively rise to the challenge of global poverty reduction... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 5-30 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHPTD Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Luxembourg Abstract: This part of the publication contains the Main Findings and Recommendations as agreed by the Development Assistance Committee following its review on 18 March 2003 at the OECD, and the report prepared by the Secretariat in association with the examiners, representing Austria and Greece, on the development co-operation policies and efforts of Luxembourg. The report is published on the authority of the Secretary-General of the OECD... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2003 Pages: 9-65 Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JHPS1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Aid Effectiveness and Selectivity: Integrating Multiple Objectives into Aid Allocations Abstract: This paper reports on recent work on improving the effectiveness of aid allocations, and extends the scope of analysis beyond the aid-policy-growth-poverty linkages to include three new elements: a broader range of poverty-relevant objectives and effectiveness constraints of aid; practical experience in the application of quantitative analysis to allocations; and analytic approaches to determining shares of aid through multilateral channels and for global public goods. There is wide consensus on the main allocation criteria for effectiveness in reducing poverty through pro-poor growth: the level and incidence of poverty and the development performance of partner countries. Other variables that raise the impact of aid on growth are helping vulnerable countries adjust to shocks, debt relief and post-conflict reconstruction. Considering broader development and humanitarian objectives, aid should also be allocated to prevent violent conflict and to improve governance and social conditions in “difficult partnerships”. In addition, global public goods are severely under-funded, and there is some evidence of under-funding of multilateral programmes... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 7-40 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGDVL Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Development Partnership Forum: Managing for Development Results and Aid Effectiveness Abstract: This part of the publication contains the report on the DAC Development Partnership Forum “Managing for Development Results and Aid Effectiveness” (Paris, 11-12 December 2002). The purpose of the Forum was to bring together donors and partners to discuss experience in results-oriented reforms. The report focuses on the implications of the results agenda on public sector management, measurement and reporting issues, public accountability and Donor/Partner co-ordination... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 41-71 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGDD8 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Philanthropic Foundations and Development Co-operation Abstract: Philanthropic foundations have made important contributions to development, particularly in agriculture, family planning and infectious diseases control. The most effective interventions have been long-term investments that were based on vision and sound scientific understanding, and were well integrated with local capacities. Foundations’ total expenditure on developmental activities is now about $3 billion annually, mostly from large U.S. foundations. Foundations are increasingly involved in public-private partnerships whose activities range from crop and disease research to improving insfrastructure, especially water supply. They have also evolved innovative approaches to building democratic life in developing countries. Better information exchange with official aid agencies and appropriate fiscal encouragement of their activity can help maximise foundations’ future development contributions... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 73-148 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGD8Q Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Denmark Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Luxembourg and Portugal for the Peer Review on 22 May 2003. The principal issues covered were the maintaining of Danish development co-operation leadership, the further untying of aid, holding the line on Danish ODA funding levels, maintaining a strategic geographic and sector focus, broadening Danish capacity in support of policy coherence, empowering the field missions and finding operational approaches to results-based management. This report is published on the authority of the Secretary-General of the OECD... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 149-227 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGD6B Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Finland Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Denmark and New Zealand for the review on 17 June 2003. The principal issues covered were explicit attention to poverty reduction, predictable growth to an ODA/GNI ratio of 0.7% by 2010, a strategy for increased multilateral aid, a clear position on policy coherence for development and increased staff capacity in embassies in partner countries. This report is published on the authority of the Secretary-General of the OECD... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 229-301 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JGD5J Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Reflection on Reconstruction in Iraq Abstract: This part provides the background paper, the agenda and the summary of the OECD DAC meeting ‘Reflection on Reconstruction in Iraq’, held in Paris on 21-22 July 2003. The reflection provided a forum for an informal exchange of views on the challenges to relief, recovery and reconstruction in Iraq... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 7-42 Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JF40N Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Central Africa and the Cross-border Regions: Reconstruction and Integration Prospects Abstract: The study in question shows the potential embodied in the regional forces around three large Central African basins: the North West basin (Atlantic Ocean), the East basin (Indian Ocean) and the South basin (southern Africa). It serves as a back-up to the Initiative for Central Africa (INICA) which is an informal framework for dialogue and a bridge between the local and regional levels, the aim of which is to provide backing for regional actors who develop initiatives conducive to a return to peace and stability in the region... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 43-109 Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JF3ZW Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Joint Assessment of Ownership and Partnership in Tanzania: Comparative Review of the Aid Programmes of Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Japan Abstract: This Joint Assessment compares the strengths of four donors in Tanzania, namely Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Japan, as well as the challenges facing them, and makes observations on their aid programmes. The aim of the Joint Assessment of these four donors (2-13 March 2003) was to understand the way in which the implementation of donors’ partnership strategies contributes to country ownership. The paper looks at the challenges for donors posed by the Tanzanian aid co-ordination mechanisms, which strongly promote Tanzanian ownership of the development programme. It concludes with a series of lessons for DAC donors... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 111-176 Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JF3XS Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Ireland Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Belgium and Switzerland for the Peer Review on 17 November 2003. The principal issues covered were: building public ownership of Ireland's official development co-operation programme; providing a predictable growth path for the expansion in ODA required so as to reach an ODA/GNI ratio of 0.7% by 2007; planning now to manage a USD 1 billion ODA programme; remaining vigilant regarding human resource issues within Development Co-operation Ireland; maintaining a cautious approach to designating new programme countries; continuing to promote more strategic approaches by NGO partners; and enhancing Ireland's contribution to addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This report is published on the authority of the Secretary-General of the OECD... Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2004 Pages: 177-266 Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5LMQCR2JF3WF Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of the United Kingdom Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from the United States and Italy for the Peer Review meeting held on 31 May 2006. The review welcomed the United Kingdom’s strong commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and to increase development aid to 0.7% of its Gross National Income by 2013. The Committee recognised the effectiveness of the United Kingdom’s distinctive development co-operation model, characterised by a strong legislative basis, clarity of mission and unified programme under a Cabinet Minister. It identified several opportunities (e.g. new tactics in working with donors, identifying policy coherence priorities, more strategic involvement of civil society, greater institutional clarity around humanitarian aid) to make improvements that would better place UK development co-operation to address the future challenges of scaling up aid volume, moving into more difficult operational environments in fragile states and clearly demonstrating development results. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 7-114 Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZSMG05FCNW Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of the Netherlands Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Sweden and Japan for the Peer Review meeting held on 12 September 2006. The review welcomed the Netherlands’ strong commitment to policy coherence for development and to maintaining high levels of development aid. The Committee noted that the Netherlands gives strong attention to issues of aid quality and uses innovative approaches to enable recipient countries to lead their own development agenda. It identified a number of recommendations (e.g. continuing efforts towards geographic and sector concentration, ensuring that spending targets do not jeopardise the principles of aid effectiveness, developing a more coherent strategy with respect to private sector development, and developing overall aid effectiveness and conditionality strategies) to assist the Netherlands in pursuing its efforts to improve the effectiveness of its development co-operation programmes. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 115-214 Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZSMFX6V5JH Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Greece Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Luxembourg and New Zealand for the Peer Review meeting on 22 November 2006. Among the main issues covered were: the welcome move on the part of the Greek government to strengthen its aid policies and development co-operation system and its humanitarian assistance to victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; the significant funding to provide education and health services to large numbers of migrants from the neighbouring region, though these costs are not ODA eligible under the DAC reporting rules; the need to address urgently the challenge of implementing Greece’s political commitment to reach the 0.51% ODA/GNI target by 2010; the need to announce a clear strategy for Greece’s aid as the framework for the medium term programme in terms of country and sector priorities and allocation among aid channels, and to strengthen policy coherence for development as a government objective; the importance of reinforcing public and political support for Greek development co-operation; the need to pursue the consolidation of the development co-operation system and to develop new ways of programming and delivering aid. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 7-93 Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZR8QLPC5MN Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of the United States Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from the United Kingdom and Canada for the Peer Review meeting held on 07 December May 2006. The review applauded the major increase in American official development assistance, which reached a record high of USD 27.6 billion in 2005. The Committee commended the United States for raising development to the status of one of three pillars of national foreign policy. Key recommendations included the need to explicitly recognise the key importance of poverty reduction, encouragement for a more explicit approach to the role of policy coherence for development, the need to persist in clarifying the lines of operational responsibility between military and development institutions, support for greater US attention to the Paris Declaration aid effectiveness agenda and encouragement for the joint Department of State and USAID development of an overarching strategic plan to guide humanitarian work. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 95-200 Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZR8QLG5ZR1 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Encouraging Effective Evaluation of Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Activities: Towards DAC Guidance Abstract: This report outlines an approach for developing guidance on evaluating conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities. First, the report specifies which types of work can be considered conflict prevention and peacebuilding activities, distinguishing between conflict sensitivity and conflict prevention and peacebuilding work. The challenges of evaluating in this field are discussed and recommendations are made on key concepts and important elements for the process, including conducting a conflict analysis; examining theories of change; understanding impacts; programming to support evaluation; and choosing evaluation methodologies and approaches. The report also looks at the applicability of existing DAC tools, and adapts the DAC Criteria for Evaluating Development Assistance to the conflict prevention and peacebuilding field. Finally, it outlines the next steps for the DAC Networks in developing guidance. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 7-106 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZ990G9KG25 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Enhancing the Delivery of Justice and Security Abstract: This section provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges faced in security and justice service delivery. It explains why security and justice are crucial to development efforts, outlines the objectives of justice and security delivery in fragile states, and provides guidance on how to overcome the challenges of providing security and justice delivery in fragile environments. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 107-177 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZ990G5G98R Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Whole-of-Government Approaches to Fragile States Abstract: As recognised in the DAC Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations, interconnected challenges of governance, economic performance, insecurity and poverty are acute in fragile states, requiring close collaboration among defense, diplomacy, development and beyond. Good international engagement in fragile states requires a complex and coherent range of approaches and instruments if lasting peace is to be secured. The study provides a synthesis of current whole-of-government approaches in seven donors’ administrations, identifying several challenges to a whole-of-government approach, including differences in mandates, approaches, resources and considerable transaction costs. Recommendations include the need for political commitment, the need to engage a wide range of actors, joint analysis, country-specific joint planning, and creating the right incentives structure and knowledge management systems for actors involved to adopt a comprehensive approach. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 179-232 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZ990G1X247 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: The Challenge of Capacity Development: Working Towards Good Practice Abstract: This report draws on four decades of documented experience provided by both bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as academic specialists, to help policy makers and practitioners think through effective approaches to capacity development and what challenges remain in the drive to boost country capacity. The analysis is underpinned by a conceptual framework which guides practitioners to view capacity development at three interrelated levels: individual, organisational and the enabling environment. It provides insights into what capacity development is, why it matters and, more importantly, what can be done to support it. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 233-276 Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZ990FW74NW Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Denmark Abstract: Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from the Netherlands and Greece for the Peer Review meeting on 8 June 2007. Among the main issues covered were: the significant funding for official development assistance (ODA) and the welcome decision on the part of the Danish Government to maintain its ODA at a minimum of 0.8% of gross national income; the solid legal grounding, resulting from the long-standing support for development assistance; the integrated, decentralised, development co-operation system, which facilitates effective aid delivery and provides flexibility for aligning and harmonising programmes; the positive emphasis on quality assurance; the need to pursue Denmark’s efforts in meeting the commitments of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness; the need to further develop and disseminate learning both within and outside Danida, especially in areas of high interest for the donor community, like mainstreaming crosscutting issues, capacity development and decentralisation; and the need to make further progress on aid untying.  Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 7-125 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZBQDWX7GF3 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of the European Community Abstract: Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from the United States and Australia for the Peer Review meeting held on 26 June 2007. The review noted that the European Community as a donor disbursed over USD 10 billion in official development assistance in 2006, while the European Commission plays a potentially important “federating” role for the institutions of all 27 Member States of the European Union. The DAC commended both the role of the Commission in reshaping its development co-operation and the progress made since the 2002 Peer Review in delivering Community assistance. It welcomed a 2007 policy that seeks better division of labour among the Commission and the Member States and the 2005 European Consensus on Development which outlines a common policy framework for them. The DAC noted a number of challenges facing the European Community, including: ensuring that European Union policies take forward the development focus of the Consensus; implementing these policies effectively at the country level; and continuing to reform the institutions and to simplify the procedures.  Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 127-261 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZBQDWWQ4Q0 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Canada Abstract: Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Belgium and Switzerland for the Peer Review Meeting on 10 October 2007. This peer review of Canada’s development co-operation programme highlights Canada’s renewed commitment to Africa; a promising approach toward fragile states, such as Haiti and Afghanistan; initiatives to make Canadian aid more effective, focusing on accountability and explaining results to the Canadian public and parliament; and strong commitment to good humanitarian donorship (GHD). Canada still faces some challenges, including: i) strengthening the mandate for development co-operation and for CIDA, while addressing some of the agency’s fundamental structural issues; ii) producing a policy for development co-operation which focuses on reducing poverty; iii) articulating an approach to policy coherence for development; iv) continuing to increase aid to meet Canada’s commitments made at Monterrey; v) focusing its aid on fewer partner countries in order to generate stronger impact and voice; and vi) galvanising the implementation of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. These steps are needed if Canada’s performance is to match its ambition to become a leading player in the donor community.  Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 263-387 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZBQDWVG4F0 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: On the Road to Montreux and Beyond Abstract: The feasibility and relevance of measuring human rights, democracy and governance have long been controversial both in the human rights community and in the international statistical family. Within the human rights community, the term “indicator” has had two distinct - and somewhat contrasting - meanings: while for some it designated, in the strict statistical sense, quantitative synthetic information based on robust data (Türk, 1990; Alston, 1998), for many others it designated a qualitative synthetic overview based on extensive sets of questions or “checklists” related to key human rights dimensions (Green, 2001). The latter meaning has deeply marked the approach to human rights assessments that has prevailed within the UN system and among most human rights leading experts during the last decades. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 33-50 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNKDQ48Q Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Metagora: a Decentralised Laboratory Abstract: Metagora is an international project focusing on methods, tools and frameworks for measuring human rights and democratic governance. It was launched in February 2004, under the auspices of the OECD/PARIS21, and will conclude its operations in August 2008. Its name results from the association of two Greek words: meta and agora. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 51-60 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNKCMVKJ Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Abuses and Ill-Treatment by Police Forces in Mexico City Abstract: In most countries, current human rights monitoring mechanisms are primarily based on reporting of individual cases, by victims or NGOs, to Human Rights Institutions or tribunals, as well as on judicial decisions.As it has been mentioned in Chapter 1, this form of monitoring can certainly be very effective and useful for purposes of advocacy on individual cases, but it cannot provide information on the dimension and trends of specific forms of human rights violations. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 61-71 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNKBLHLP Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Indigenous Peoples' Rights in the Philippines Abstract: The Metagora pilot survey in the Philippines focused on indigenous peoples’ rights. It was designed, prepared and carried out through a vigorous participatory process, leading to one of Metagora’s strongest and most inclusive national structures (see box below). Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 73-82 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNK9CTS5 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Human Rights and Democracy Dimensions of Land Reform in South Africa Abstract: Metagora’s pilot experience on land reform in South Africa is a case study for measuring the realisation of democracy and human rights in a complex practical context. This pilot designed and tested a survey methodology to take into account the varied nature of the South African land question, as well as the relevant but diverging views of a range of stakeholders. It addressed the particular needs of policy makers and civil society for evidence-based information on citizens’ differing experiences, perceptions, attitudes and aspirations around land.The likely policy impact of this approach was to contribute with evidence-based information and analysis to the development of a land reform policy based on principles, standards and people’s expectations of democracy, realisation of human rights and good governance. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 83-93 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNK710S0 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Poverty, Governance and Democratic Participation in Francophone Africa and the Andean Region Abstract: One of the main contributions of statistical tools – and in particular of survey methods – to the enhancement of human rights and democratic governance assessments, is to allow to capture objective facts and subjective perceptions directly from people’s experiences and views – without the intermediary of experts’ opinions or theories. This is of the highest importance in developing countries, where sound knowledge and understanding of daily problems and the perceptions and expectations of the people – and in particular the poor – are essential preconditions for designing and implementing policies and programmes that are truly consistent with the issues at stake: extreme poverty, problematic access to basic services, social and political exclusion, widespread corruption or weak governance. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 95-118 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNK5KLVB Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: The Right to Education in Palestine Abstract: The Metagora pilot experience in Palestine focused on the right to education. It consisted in the development of indicators and a public information tool to enhance analytical capacities and evidence-based policy-making. The pilot was designed and implemented through a vigorous participatory process, involving a wide range of NGOs, governmental bodies and academic or independent research centres (see box below). It explored the following questions: Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 119-131 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJZRG24 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Massive Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka Abstract: The Metagora project provided scientific and technical support toThe Asia Foundation’s project on Mapping Political and Ethnic Violence in Sri Lanka (see box below). This project focuses on the use of quantitative approaches and statistical tools and methods for empowering the documentation, analysis, reporting and advocacy work of non-governmental organisations committed to defending and promoting human rights. This project has enabled Sri Lankan human rights defenders to examine the patterns and magnitude of past and current violations. In light of Metagora’s objectives, this innovative approach has provided concrete answers to the following questions: Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 133-145 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJX7V5C Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Main Lessons and Products from Metagora Abstract: The Metagora pilot experiences were each planned, designed and implemented as part of a coherent whole.Their local processes therefore converged into common achievements.This chapter summarises the lessons formulated collectively by the Partners Group. It also highlights two key products of the project: the Inventory of Initiatives and the Training Materials. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 147-158 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJVRDHD Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Indicators for Monitoring Compliance with International Human Rights Instruments Abstract: The work on indicators at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was initiated at the request of the Inter-committee meeting of the human rights treaty bodies to help them make use of statistical information in states parties’ reports in assessing the implementation of human rights. OHCHR undertook an extensive survey of literature and prevalent practices among national and international organisations on the use of quantitative information in monitoring human rights (see Fasel and Malhotra, 2005). Having taken stock of the state of the art, steps were taken to develop a conceptual and methodological framework, in consultation with a panel of experts, for identifying operationally feasible human rights indicators. The first outline of the framework was presented to the Inter-committeemeeting of human rights treaty bodies in June 2006 (see UN-HRI, 2006b). Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 161-176 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJSSWZQ Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Candidate Indicators for Monitoring the Right to Education Abstract: There has been increasing awareness in recent years that the development of indicators is central to effectively monitoring human rights, particularly economic, social, and cultural rights, and evaluating the performance of countries in implementing these rights. Effectivemonitoring requires the systematic collection and analysis of appropriate data. To determine which data are relevant, it is first necessary to translate the abstract legal norms in which various human rights are framed into operational standards. This process involves conceptualising specific enumerated rights, for example the right to education, and developing standards by which to measure implementation and identify violations of state obligations. These standards or indicators can then provide yardsticks to assess compliance. Human rights indicators offer a tool for the following: making better policies and monitoring progress; identifying the unintended impacts of laws, policies and practices; determining which actors are having an impact on the realisation or non-realisation of rights; revealing whether the obligations of these actors are being met; giving early warning of potential violations so as to enable prompt preventive action; enhancing social consensus on difficult trade-offs required in the face of resource constraints; and exposing issues that had been neglected or silenced (UNDP, 2000, p.89). Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 177-193 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJR8R38 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Measuring Economic and Social Rights to Hold Governments Accountable Abstract: Developing rigorous monitoring tools has been a persistent challenge for human rights NGOs working on economic and social rights. Article 2 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights obliges each state party to take steps toward “achieving progressively the full realisation of rights“ to “the maximum of its available resources.” Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 195-214 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJLLPNQ Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Capacity Development for Assessing Democratic Governance: a UNDP Global Programme Abstract: Reflecting the critical outcome of the Millennium Declaration and theWorld Summit 2005 which highlighted democratic governance as a requirement for inclusive development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, countries are increasingly pressed to assess and measure their progress towards democratic governance as both end and means. As a direct effect of this encouraging trend, UNDP Country Offices register a rising demand to assist national counterparts develop their capacity to engage in nationally owned and driven democratic governance assessments. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 215-228 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJKHTHJ Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Conclusion Abstract: Eight years after the 2000 Montreux Conference on Statistics, Development and Human Rights, much progress has been made thanks to considerable work carried out by many actors. As the international community is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this publication attests to effective steps towards a robust monitoring of its implementation. Indeed, the Metagora project has been a successful materialisation of the Montreux North/South commitment to enhance national capacities to apply propermethods and tools in assessing human rights and democratic governance. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 229-234 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJJZ3KK Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Appendices Abstract: This appendix presents succinct descriptions and information on the methodological basis of the following Metagora activities: the pilot surveys carried out in Mexico, Philippines and South Africa, the pilot experience of attaching modules to regular household surveys in Francophone Africa and in the Andean region, as well as the development of a dynamic database on the right to education in Palestine. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 237-312 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNJHWSBW Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Introduction Abstract: More than one decade ago, the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/DAC) adopted a visionary report entitled Shaping the 21st Century: The Contribution of Development Co-operation. This report proposed a set of international development objectives which, in the course of subsequent years, evolved into what are now known as the Millennium Development Goals. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2008 Pages: 23-29 Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KZDLNKF9F6F Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Service delivery in fragile situations: Key concepts, findings and lessons Abstract: The establishment of effective and durable public services is a first priority in situations of fragility and conflict. This paper provides an understanding of the mutual influence of state fragility and service delivery and offers guidance to strengthen service provision and governance in these states. Based on an analysis of the major policy issues and approaches available, the paper identifies the challenges and dilemmas the international community and its partners face in fragile settings. It concludes with a set of policy lessons and recommendations intended to help donors better target their interventions. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2009 Pages: 7-60 Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KSKNQ4KZJS7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Concepts and dilemmas of State building in fragile situations: From fragility to resilience Abstract: This paper aims to fill a significant gap and bring greater clarity to the policy discussion about state building. It offers important insights into the causes and features of fragility, and how states can reach stability and resilience over time. The report highlights that state building needs to be seen in the context of state formation and state-society relations. It provides practical recommendations for donors that wish to support national state-building processes. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2009 Pages: 61-148 Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KSKNQ4H9TMS Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Employment and Social Protection Abstract: Employment and social protection are two critical avenues towards achieving pro-poor growth and the Millennium Development Goals. In developing countries the majority of poor people work, but employment conditions are poor, productivity is low and incomes inadequate. Policies that improve conditions in the informal economy, increase the productivity and employability of poor people and improve the enabling environment for local entrepreneurship will lead to better employment outcomes. Social protection enables households to invest in productive activities and human capital, which raises their productivity and incomes. Social protection can be affordable, including for low-income countries, and efficiently tackles poverty through improved health, increased school attendance and less hunger and malnutrition. There is growing demand in developing countries for more public action on social protection and employment. To help donors respond, at its High Level Meeting on 27-28 May 2009 the DAC endorsed the following policy statement which encourages donors to provide adequate, long-term and predictable financial assistance to underpin developing countries’ efforts to build social protection systems and to make employment and decent work a key objective of development co-operation. In addition, through its Network on Poverty Reduction (POVNET), the DAC has developed policy guidance notes for donors on employment and social protection. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2009 Pages: 7-54 Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KSCFNND4J38 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Compendium of Country Examples and Lessons Learned from Applying the Methodology for Assessment of National Procurement Systems: Sharing Experiences Abstract: Abstract: This paper presents the experiences and the lessons learned by 22 partner countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia related to the application of the Methodology for the Assessment of National Procurement Systems of the OECD/DAC Joint Venture on Procurement. The Methodology was developed and approved for field testing in 2006 as an input for implementing the Paris Declaration agenda and to assist in strengthening country procurement systems. It is the result of the joint efforts of multilateral and bilateral development partners and of partner countries from around the world. These experiences and lessons represent some early results achieved by a group of volunteer partner governments working in collaboration with national stakeholders from civil society, the private sector, the media, elected members of parliament and with their international development partners. The present document is limited to sharing experiences in using the Methodology. Country examples from the pilot exercises and from other applications are used as case studies. A mapping of various country experiences in using the Methodology is provided in Annex A. The present document seeks to provide useful background information drawn from various available sources. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2009 Pages: 55-140 Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KSCFNN20D9X Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: Trading Out of Poverty: How Aid for Trade Can Help Abstract: Aid for trade is a tool designed to interlock aid and trade policies in pursuit of raised living standards and reduced poverty. This paper demonstrates why trade matters for boosting productivity and economic growth and explains why some countries are unable to reap the gains from trade. It does on to analyse how aid for trade can help strengthen the impact of trade on growth and poverty reduction, and which policy tools can best reinforce the impact of trade on poverty reduction. It underlines the need for a tailored, country-based approach to economic integration, and summarises the main policy conclusions and the potential gains-from-trade that are at stake. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 7-41 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KMMZZC2VVR4 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Norway Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Canada and the European Commission for the Peer Review on 21 October 2008. Norway is consistently at the forefront of donor efforts to improve the international aid system, as well as its own development policies and programmes. It supports aid effectiveness and its flexible approach to development assistance enables quick reaction to changing situations. Although its flexibility is generally considered a strength, Norway needs to guard against adding too many new priorities to an ever-expanding list of initiatives. Norway aspires to lead on selected cross-cutting issues such as women’s rights, gender equality and the environment but it is still struggling to fully ‘mainstream’ these objectives into programmes and projects. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 43-146 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KMMZZC2T9XV Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Australia Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Ireland and Portugal for the Peer Review on 4 December 2008. Australia has made substantial, positive changes to its aid programme since 2004, reinforcing its focus on reducing poverty, on promoting the MDGs, and completely untying its aid programme. While increasing its aid, Australia should stay focused and pursue effective approaches, including working with and through other donors. Australia successfully integrated gender equality into its aid programme and could now use the same approach to integrate environmental concerns. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 147-260 Volume: 10 Issue: 2 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KMMZZC2RR38 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Sweden Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Japan and the United States for the Peer Review meeting on 9 June 2009. The review noted that Sweden was the most generous of all DAC donor countries as a proportion of its national income in 2008. Sweden is a leader in the areas of aid effectiveness and good humanitarian donorship. It has initiated important reforms to bolster the quality of its aid and to make its development efforts more supportive of partner country priorities. Sweden sets an example as a reliable and engaged donor to multilateral organisations but could make its support more strategic. Sweden is ahead of many donors when it comes to making its national policies and actions consistent with its development objectives, but implementation difficulties led to a revised approach, which is promising. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 221-336 Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM9C89V0Q6G Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Austria Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Luxembourg and Norway for the Peer Review meeting on 29 April 2009. Among the issues covered were: the welcome efforts to focus Austrian development co-operation on the world’s poorest people; plans to substantially increase aid for humanitarian action, priority partner countries, and UN agencies; and progress made with the organisational reform started in 2004. Austria needs to sharply increase its aid to meet its commitment to reach 0.7% of ODA/GNI by 2015; to make its aid more predictable; and to increase the share of aid that can be programmed by partner countries. Staffing and technical expertise in the Foreign Affairs Ministry must be strengthened so that it can effectively carry out its mandate as the national co-ordinator for aid and development policy; there should be increased focus on public and political awareness about global development challenges; and a medium-term development policy, endorsed by the government, which commits all ministries to Austria’s development co-operation objectives. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 109-219 Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM9C89XD7R2 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Ireland Abstract: This review contains the Main Findings and Recommendations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the report of the Secretariat. It was prepared with examiners from Italy and New Zealand for the Peer Review meeting on 24 March 2009. The review noted that Ireland is a champion in making aid more effective. Poverty reduction is the overarching goal of Irish Aid, and reflecting this, its programme is well concentrated on a limited number of very poor African countries. Ireland is a predictable and flexible donor, and its attention to local priorities is appreciated by the developing country partners with whom it works. It is balancing efforts to meet the best international development standards while dealing with the impact of the global economic crisis. Ireland is focusing on achieving results and should enhance its efforts to measure the impact of its aid programme. The DAC urges Ireland to communicate development results to the public to maintain support for overseas development. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 7-108 Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM9C8G9KB0N Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Switzerland Abstract: Switzerland’s aid volume was USD 2.02 billion in 2008, an increase of more than 6% over the previous year, and a total of 0.42% of its gross national income (GNI). In 2008 it had already surpassed its Monterrey commitment to contribute 0.4% of its GNI to official development assistance (ODA) by 2010. Switzerland should adopt a 0.5% target for its aid, keeping in mind the 0.7% UN target. Switzerland has a long tradition of international assistance; its aid to humanitarian causes and multilateral donors serves as an example in good practice. Although Switzerland contributes to international thinking on governance and development in fragile situations, it faces challenges in implementing some of the international principles for making aid more effective, particularly in fragile states. Swiss aid is dispersed among too many countries and sectors, and it now strives to strengthen its focus. While welcoming the steps Switzerland has taken to reinforce its strategic approach to development co-operation, greater cohesion between the Ministries of Economic and Foreign Affairs would reduce duplication and transaction costs. In reforming its aid system, Switzerland will need to do more to set standards, monitor outcomes and assess impact of its development co operation programmes. Switzerland has made progress in bringing areas such as trade and the restitution of stolen assets in line with its commitments to development. It must build on such examples to ensure that all policies are coherent with its development aims. Switzerland must also strengthen efforts to communicate the positive results of aid in order to maintain strong public and political support. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 173-302 Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM7JVNL3RXS Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: DAC Peer Review of Italy Abstract: The Italian development co-operation is facing major challenges. The first is an urgent need to reform official development co-operation in the absence of political consensus on how to proceed. The second is that Italy will fail to meet its international commitment to increase official development assistance (ODA) to 0.51% of its gross national income (GNI) by 2010 and is unlikely to meet 0.7% by 2015. In 2008 Italy’s ODA/GNI ratio was 0.22. Despite the challenges remaining, there has been some improvement in Italian aid management since 2008. Italy intends to focus on 35 priority countries, the greater authority given to Italy’s embassies and technical offices to deliver and to contribute to formulating programmes and deliver aid, and the Steering Committee on Development Co-operation’s high level policy direction. Italy still needs a strategy for its development co-operation that is shared by all relevant government departments and regional and local authorities working towards common objectives: building systems to promote coherence between development co-operation and other policies; reforming human resource management for the core cadre of development experts; and regularly undertaking monitoring and independent evaluation. In addition, the limited political debate and public awareness about Italian development co-operation show there is an urgent need for the Italian authorities, together with civil society, to build popular support for development and public pressure for reforming Italian development co-operation. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 59-171 Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM7JVNL5SF7 Template-type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: OECD Title: 2009 OECD Report on Division of Labour Abstract: Developing countries differ greatly in their potential for development and in the challenges they face. In one respect, however, many share a common problem: too little aid from too many donors. This report traces up to 3 700 aid relationships between all 151 aid recipient countries and the 46 largest donors, covering all members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the largest multilateral agencies. This complex reality is often referred to as fragmentation of aid. This 2009 report examines the concept of aid fragmentation across countries, and what has happened since the adoption of the Paris Declaration. It also proposes measures for concentration and fragmentation, and options for tackling excessive fragmentation. Where a donor-partner aid relation is not considered non-significant from either the donor’s or the recipient’s point of view, there is an opportunity for some rationalisation. This report shows that a decrease of 23% in the number of relationships is possible when only 4% of aid is reorganised. This reorganisation, in turn, would lead to an increase in the volume of the average donor-partner aid relation of 30%. Journal: OECD Journal on Development Year: 2010 Pages: 7-58 Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Handle: RePEc:oec:dcdkaa:5KM7JVNLGDWB