Paris Agreement on Aid Effectiveness

This is now the final installment of my reflections on the Wheaton conference on "Government, Foreign Assistance, and the Mission of God in the World," cohosted by Wheaton's Center for Applied Ethics, Bread for the World, and the Micah Challenge.

Previous posts included:
1. First Look
2. Why Government should aid
3. The Bible, Christians, and Government

The Paris Agreement on Aid Effectiveness
One of the presentations was on aid effectiveness, and this declaration was mentioned. I have not read through the entire website, but the main points of the agreement seem sound, especially if a developing country sets good goals.

1. Ownership
The country receiving aid should own the development process. It should own its own goals, set its own strategies, improve its own institutions, and tackle its own corruption.

2. Alignment
Donor countries should align behind these goals and use local systems toward their accomplishment.

3. Harmonization
Donor countries coordinate, simplify procedures and share information to avoid duplication.

4. Results
Developing countries and donors shift focus to development results and results get measured.

5. Mutual Accountability
Donors and partners are accountable for development results.

Here endeth my reflections...