Does foreign aid really contribute to development?
A report published by a Dutch government think tank last week levelled some heavy charges at foreign aid policy. The 352-page report labelled Dutch development aid policy “pretentious” and argued its contribution to the development of poor countries was modest at best. The report also made the case for limiting foreign aid spending to ten countries. Currently, the Dutch give out aid to four times as many developing nations.
Politicians were quick to find support for their own positions in the pages of the report. Foreign aid minister Bert Koenders for instance, said the report would help him in “modernising foreign aid”. Arend Jan Boekestijn, a long time critic of development aid and a former member of parliament for the VVD, painted the report as an argument for cutting back on government spending on foreign aid, which has long stood at 0.7 percent of GDP.
What do you think? What makes sustainable development aid policy and how much should rich nations like the Netherlands spend on it?
Tuesday 26 January 2010, 11:50
Foreign Aid is no more a charity but duty/obligation of the rich/developed nations as we are living in a globalized world,where We All Are Equally Responsible for the Poverty,Hunger,Disease,Climate Change,Conflicts,Wars,Bloodshed and all kinds of Injustices and violation of Universal Human Rights.
Luckily we have a minister for International Cooperation and Development Mr.Bert Koenders who have been the best choice for this portfolio. As a Dutch citizen,I have been following his efforts and would like to admire him for a wonderful contributions. He is the one who can ‘make a difference’,if the present government provide him a free hand! because he have a perfect heart and mind and dreams to fight against poverty and other evils(please don’t misunderstand me by thinking that perhaps I am member of his political party, I am not).
The worst case scenario is the corrupt ruling elites/governments at the receiving end, because they have been misusing the funds.Our government should involve the Civil Society as a partner, besides this the assistance should be acquired from the migrants living here who are quite capable to coordinate the task among the Dutch Embassy officials.They can easily help to overcome the difficulties being faced during the implementations. Perhaps a Institute of Experts from different developing countries/continents is a good idea to involve them?
Thursday 18 February 2010, 18:56
Having served in Africa and the Middle East with the UN I have seen at first hand and close up the work of ‘Foreign Aid’ this is nothing more than a FACE-SAVING COSMETIC exercise by Politicians and well paid NGO using TAX Payers money to make them look good in the eyes of the developed world, this does nothing more than create a WELFARE SOCIETY in the countries they are supposed to help while the Corrupt Governments in such Countries use their wealth to buy Armaments to prop up their regime while their people starve. Yours sincerely, Matthew M. Ireland