World CSOs’ Forum on Aid Effectiveness

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> It is said that for poor and developing countries, aid is a necessary ingredient to its economic development. But when donor countries, for their economic interests, tie aid to some conditions, then aid becomes an additional burden to recipient countries. This is a common observation among recipient countries. Development aid is usually tied to conditions and this drives civil society organizations (CSOs) to call for reforms on development aid for it to be more effective.

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The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA), with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme, actively participated in the ‘World CSOs’ Forum on Aid Effectiveness,’ held last 30 August to 01 September 2008, at Accra, Ghana, West Africa. The forum was the highlight of a series of CSO consultations around the world convened by the Ibon Foundation (Reality of Aid Secretariat) that involved donor recipient countries.

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The main objective of the forum was for civil society organizations (CSOs) to prepare and formally present their united position on improving development aid. This statement was presented during the 3^rd High Level Forum also in Accra, Ghana, West Africa (02 to 03 September 2008) where government officials from both donor and recipient countries assembled themselves to review the Paris Declaration that governs development aid.

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Over 600 representatives from 325 CSOs with 88 participating countries met in Accra to debate on what call should be made for development aid reform. 80 CSO representatives were selected to participate in the High Level Forum to convey the united position and ensure that the CSOs’ voice was heard.

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The CSOs’ statement was for the High Level Forum to deliver real measurable and time-bound commitments to address some problems that were not dealt in the Paris Declaration. Donor countries were called to take responsibility for improvements, which only they can deliver, while the government should increase democratic accountability and transparency of their use of aid resources, policies, and activities.

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The CSOs’ Call for Aid Effectiveness can be viewed on this site.

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