RealityCheck on Development Aid:
Security, Peace and Development Aid in Africa
From the Preface: Following the debates on good governance and the need for better and more effective aid that
have been deliberated within the auspices of the 2005 G8 meeting in Gleneagles', it seems proper
that in restructuring the aid architecture, the whole monitoring and evaluation of aid at country,
regional and international level need therefore to be done in a multi-stakeholder consultative setup.
The involvement of civil society organizations, parliamentarians and community-based organizations
must be able to address the shortcomings of aid, more so the security and peace
questions. The world requires an aid architecture that is inclusive, participatory, accountable and
transparent. A people and rights based approach will make the difference and a better world for
all.
The publication calls for the reinvigoration of multilateralism and argues that good global governance implies a fully functioning multilateral system.
The current aid regime's neo-liberal agenda undermines governance at national level and violates human rights because of the conditionalities imposed. All conditionalities should be negotiated in a fair and transparent manner and based on partnerships.
Africa must of necessity find a way out of the constricting relationship with the IFIs and instead participate in the global economy on the stronger basis of trade – TRADE NOT AID. Donors are currently using aid to maintain their grip on the continent.
Africa must embrace the Rights Based Approach which centers development on people as opposed to the neo-liberal approach which focuses on markets. The Rights based approach upholds PEOPLE NOT PROFITS.
Civil society should use the Rights Based framework to lobby for the fullfilment of people's rights by states, multilateral corporations and IFIs.
Corruption undermines the rights of the poor by denying them equal access to resources and facilities, there is need to deal effectively with corruption and poor governance in order to uphold people's rights.
The youth are and important stakeholder (for now and for the future) and yet largely left out of development processes, there is need to adopt programmes that are specifically targeted at them.
Aid delivery should be coordinated and harmonized to make more effective.
NEPAD glosses over the fundamental issues facing Africa , there is need to start developing alternatives to NEPAD.
African countries must use their resources prudently to reduce dependency on external aid – as is the case of Nigeria with rich oil resources and yet over 70% of the population still live below $1/day.
