Download or read book International Development Committee 6th Report DFID s Economic Development Strategy written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. International Development Committee and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Draft International Development Official Development Assistance Target Bill written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-23 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1970 the UN General Assembly called on the economically advanced countries to provide 0.7% of their income as Official Development Assistance (ODA) by the middle of the decade. In 2004 the UK committed to meet the target by 2013. The Government proposes to enshrine in law its commitment to meet the target in 2010 and each subsequent year. Whilst the legislation is widely welcomed the Committee remains uncertain that it will have the wider impact claimed. The accountability measures contained in the draft Bill weaken the commitment and provide the Government with an easy excuse for not meeting the target. The 2002 International Development Act stipulates that DFID's expenditure on ODA should have poverty reduction as its primary objective. With increasing pressure to find additional finance for responding to climate change or to new types of security threats, there is a danger that increased amounts of UK ODA will be used for purposes only marginally related to poverty reduction. The Government must take appropriate steps to guard against this whether or not the Bill becomes law. Ultimately the Committee supports the 0.7% goal and feels the UK should maintain and build on its reputation as a donor.

Download or read book Department for International Development annual report 2007 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-11-15 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Committee's report reviews the Department for International Development's 2007 annual report (HCP 514, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780102945195), focusing on issues of efficiency and effectiveness. The Committee welcomes the increase in the DFID's budget under the Comprehensive Spending Review Settlement for 2008-11, in line with the target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income to be allocated to Official Development Assistance by 2013. However, it notes the significant challenge for DFID in using this funding effectively when it is also required to reduce its administrative costs, and therefore staff numbers, at a time when its focus is shifting increasingly towards fragile states where providing assistance is resource-intensive. Concerns are raised that DFID continues to emphasise inputs rather than outcomes, although DFID's new Public Service Agreement Delivery Agreement and the plans to establish the Independent Advisory Committee on Development Impact should make it easier to identify whether DFID's expenditure is effective in reducing poverty in developing countries. Four areas for improvement in DFID's work are highlighted relating to gender equality, climate change, governance and agricultural development.

Download or read book HC 663 The Future of UK Development Co operation Phase 2 Beyond Aid written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2015 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The number of low income countries is falling. At the same time, the importance of global issues - conflict, climate, migration, trade, tax, financial stability, youth unemployment, urbanisation economic development, and infectious disease - is rising. The Committee argues that aid remains vital for addressing poverty in poor countries, for encouraging economic development, for providing global goods such as tackling climate change, combating diseases such as Ebola and providing humanitarian assistance, but new forms of co-operation have to be developed in order to meet these challenges. This will include new financial mechanisms and facilitating links with UK institutions in a wide range of areas, including health, education, culture, law, culture and science. This will require the Department for International Development (DFID) to put more emphasis on working with small organisations and less on programme management.As the focus moves away from aid, policy coherence for development must be at the heart of a new approach. This means working across Government in the UK, and with global partners in the multilateral system, to maximise the impact on development of all the UK's actions. This approach and changes will require DFID staff to develop different skills.

Download or read book Work of the International Development Committee 1997 2000 written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. International Development Committee and published by . This book was released on 2001-01 with total page 43 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report on the activities of the International Development Committee 1997-2000 is part of a series of such reports made by all departmental committees at the request of the Liaison Committee. The report concludes that a co-operative and productive relationship has been established with the Department for International Development (DFID). The Committee has been impressed by the repeated praise for the work and initiatives of the Department that they hear both in this country and overseas. The Committee sees DFID as having been transformed in this Parliament from an aid agency to a development agency, with a mandate to press for a developmental perspective across Whitehall. The Committee has also attempted to pursue cross-cutting issues and has thus engaged with a number of government departments in addition to DFID. The report comments that there is room for improvement in the timeliness of Government responses to Committee reports. The Committee has been concerned about the timeliness of the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. The Committee has complained to the Parliamentary Ombudsman under the Code of Practice to Official Information having been refused access to information concerning the Ilusu Dam. This is the first time a select committee has complained to the Parliamentary Ombudsman about the lack of access to government papers.

Download or read book DFID s assistance to Zimbabwe written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-26 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report finds that UK aid has helped deliver progress in Zimbabwe since the Government of National Unity was established a year ago, but governance, human rights and provision of basic services are still falling well below the needs of the people. The Department for International Development (DFID) allocated £60 million for humanitarian and development assistance in the country in 2009-10. This support has been effective in reaching poor and vulnerable people. UK aid should continue, given the scale of ongoing need - two million people are estimated to require food aid this year - and should be increased in the sectors where it is making the greatest impact. Aid should continue to be channelled through non-governmental organisations and multilateral agencies. Emergency aid is making a difference but it cannot be turned into sustained development support without a long-term political settlement. The report condemns the electoral manipulation, abuse of state power, land seizures, and violence against political opponents and civil society which President Mugabe's ZANU-PF have inflicted on the country for many years. Many skilled workers left the country, leaving the health and education systems in particular near collapse. The report concludes that the international community's longer-term focus should be on strengthening the capacity of the Government of National Unity so that it is better placed to determine its own development priorities and to deliver them.

Download or read book DFID and the World Bank written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008-03-05 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The World Bank is a major provider of development funding, analysis and advice. The Bank is not perfect, however, and the context in which it operates continues to change. As a major shareholder and contributor to the World Bank, the UK has a distinct leadership role. The UK should articulate and pursue a vision for reform of the Bank. The Department for International Development's (DFID) and the Bank both have core objectives of poverty reduction. There is an increased responsibility on DFID to ensure that the Bank is organisationally effective and achieving a level of development impact that justifies the UK contributions. More consistent and transparent use of impact assessments by the World Bank across all of its lending is the single most important change in Bank practice that DFID should be pursuing. There should be more representation of developing countries in World Bank decision-making. Selection of the President of the World Bank, should be transparent and on merit, rather than in the gift of the United States. Other recommendations cover: women's empowerment; DFID staffing in relation to the Bank; and climate change. This last is an acute challenge for developing countries. As a development leader, the Bank should use its substantial resources and leverage to support viable renewable energy sources. But the urgency of climate change does not lessen the blight of poverty and the Bank's primary focus must remain on poverty reduction and development.

Download or read book Strategic export controls written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Defence Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-08-07 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Government published a consultation document "Export Control Act 2002: 2007 review of export control legislation" in June 2007 (further details can be accessed at http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/page39910.html). This report contains the Quadripartite Committee's own review of export control legislation, along with its response to the Government's consultation document. The Committee concludes that the Export Control Act 2002 has provided a sound legislative basis for controlling and regulating the UK's strategic exports but with gaps and shortcomings. It also welcomes the Government's review as a constructive process that addresses many of the issues the Committee and other parties have raised over several years, and praises the improvement in the volume and quantity of information that the Government provides. But the review does not mention HM Revenue and Customs, the department that enforces the controls; and it ignores the EU dimension despite a significant part of the export control regime being derived from EU legislation. The Committee makes nearly 100 recommendations and observations on the review and the operation and effectiveness of the UK export control legislation.

Download or read book DFID s programme in Nepal written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-28 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: DFIDs programme in Nepal : Sixth report of session 2009-10, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal Minutes

Download or read book HC 685 Jobs and Livelihoods written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2015 with total page 93 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The shortage of full time jobs and the difficulty in earning a livelihood are one of the greatest global problems. Increasing population, especially in Africa, looks much less likely to stabilise than experts complacently believed until recently. World-wide 600 million young people will enter the job market in the next decade with only 200 million jobs awaiting them. The failure to address the issue will have serious consequences and threatens widespread social and political unrest. The situation is recognised by donors, but there seems to be a lack of passion in attempts to address it. As DFID notes, the private sector is the driver of economic growth and will produce 90% of new jobs. DFID's approach to economic development is centred on its Economic Development Strategic Framework, which consists of a series of wide-ranging interventions, listed under five pillars, including international trade; improving the "enabling" environment in countries; catalysing capital flows; engaging with businesses to help their investments contribute to development; and ensuring growth is inclusive and benefits marginalised groups. The choice and balance of interventions depends on the particular circumstances of each country. This basic approach was supported by many witnesses. However, there are several concerns. DFID plans to spend £1.8 billion on economic development by 2015-16 - more than doubling the amount spent in 2012-13; is DFID geared up to spend the extra money cost-effectively? The Committee have seen examples of successful work on theirr visits, and urge DFID to publish lists of achievements under these programmes.

Download or read book DFID s programme in Bangladesh written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-03-04 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report finds that Bangladesh has reduced poverty levels from 57 per cent at the beginning of the 1990s to 40 per cent in 2005 but much more needs to be done to help the country's poorest people. Despite a steadily growing economy, Bangladesh's potential to achieve more widespread poverty reduction is held back by its poor record on governance and high levels of corruption. Successive governments have failed to respond to the needs of poor and marginalised communities and instead state power has too often been used for personal and partisan ends. Bangladesh is the fourth highest recipient of UK bilateral assistance. DFID's programme there in the current financial year is worth £125 million and will rise to £150 million in 2010-11. The report praises the innovative non-governmental organisations (NGO) community in Bangladesh which plays an important role in delivering basic services in areas where state provision is limited. Gender inequality continues to be a significant problem in Bangladesh: an increase in the number of girls attending primary school contrasts with insufficient progress in tackling maternal mortality and women remain marginalised and excluded from key decision-making processes. Bangladesh is likely to be adversely affected by climate change and the poorest people will be hardest hit. The report adds large parts of the country are low-lying and susceptible to more frequent and intense floods and cyclones. Bangladesh will need assistance to cope with the effects of rises in sea levels and increased salinisation.

Download or read book Work of the Committee in 2007 written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008-01-24 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Work of the Committee In 2007 : Third report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal Minutes

Download or read book The development Situation in Malawi written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2012-07-24 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Government should re-instate its programme of General Budget Support for Malawi, according to MPs on the International Development Committee. The Department for International Development (DFID) suspended General Budget Support to Malawi - the provision of funds directly to the Malawian exchequer - in July 2011, preferring to provide its aid by other means. This decision was taken in response to the policies of the then President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika. His policies had created an economic and political crisis, whilst his authoritarian tendencies were becoming ever more apparent: the UK's High Commissioner had been expelled from Malawi for criticising Mutharika. However, following the death of President Mutharika in April this year, his successor - President Joyce Banda - has begun to reverse many of his policies. The currency has been devalued, whilst the new Government has indicated its intention to repeal many of its predecessor's authoritarian measures. Subject to the continued progress of reforms, general budget support is likely to be the most efficient way of providing aid to Malawi.

Download or read book Sustainable development in a changing climate written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009-06-03 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sustainable development in a changing Climate : Fifth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

Download or read book Tax in Developing Countries written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2012-08-23 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report highlights the importance of tax collection in developing countries, and recommends that the UK's aid programme should increase its focus on supporting tax authorities. This is equally valid for all forms of taxation, including VAT, personal income taxation and corporate taxation. It is also essential that taxes are paid on a fair and equal basis by all. New tax rules on developing countries, the Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) rules are designed to discourage UK-owned corporations from using tax havens. Traditionally these rules have applied to all UK-owned corporations - both those operating in the UK and those operating overseas. Under the new rules, however, this will apply only to corporations operating in the UK, making it easier for those operating in developing countries to use tax havens. A number of NGOs have campaigned vigorously against the changes, with ActionAid estimating that developing countries may lose up to £4 billion in tax revenues as a result. The UK Government does not accept this estimate, but does not deny that there will be some cost to developing countries. The Committee recommends that - subject to the outcome of its own analysis - the Government should consider reversing the change as a matter of urgency. The Committee also received evidence which argued that the Government should require UK-owned companies to report their financial information on a country-by-country basis, rather than on an aggregate basis. The Government is reluctant to act unless other EU countries do likewise, but the Committee believes that it should act unilaterally

Download or read book Working effectively in fragile and conflict affected states written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: International Development Committee and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2012-01-05 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The International Development Committee believes the Government is right to increase aid to fragile and conflict-affected states, such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , but it must prepared suspend or even cancel a programme if a Government flouts agreements or refuses to engage in efforts to increase transparency and accountability. The MPs urge DFID to set out specific governance conditions under which it will provide direct budget support to fragile states, and any under which it will be withdrawn and apply these consistently. They also recommend that DFID invest more in community-led local initiatives which respond to community priorities and give communities more confidence to hold their governments to account. Two case studies of Rwanda and the DRC highlight areas of concern. Rwanda is heavily dependent on aid which provides 45% of government expenditure. The UK will provide £90 million to Rwanda in 2014-15. While Rwanda has made progress in reducing poverty, concerns have been expressed about its human rights record and the lack of political pluralism. The Committee urges the UK Government to use its position as the largest bilateral donor to Rwanda to insist on improvements to the country's governance. In the DRC there is concern about high levels of violence against women and girls. DFID should give greater priority to tackling this in its programme and include the reduction of violence against women in its results framework for the DRC.

Download or read book The Practice of International Development written by Jerrold Keilson and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-09-22 with total page 237 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Development analysts tend to give short shrift to the seemingly minor bureaucratic hitches faced by practitioners—those who design, manage, implement, and evaluate aid projects. Often critical of foreign aid either for its apparent ineffectiveness at alleviating poverty or its purported neocolonial implications, the academic literature rarely acknowledges the experiences and pressures faced by practitioners themselves as they implement aid-funded development projects—the meetings, paperwork, negotiations, site visits, financial transactions, logistical arrangements, interviews, program activities, and beneficiary interactions—that keep projects running. And yet the impact of aid projects, and indeed the impact of development itself, often grows out of the daily activities and personal interactions of development practitioners. This unique book considers challenges from the perspective of development practitioners who confront technical, managerial, political, theoretical, and moral quandaries on a daily basis. With chapters written by expert practitioners on different aspects of design and management of international development activities, this book examines real issues and navigates the often contradictory demands of local development needs, including international donor imperatives; limited financial resources, time, information, and assurance of results; the competing pulls of administrative efficiency; and the desire to alleviate suffering. It also gives readers access to the crucial but little-heard voices of those who spend their professional lives designing and managing foreign aid projects, offering insight into what did or did not work on projects they have managed, implemented, or evaluated. These insights do not seek to identify universally right or wrong ways of doing development; instead, they highlight pros and cons associated with various approaches and decisions. This book provides valuable insights for students and others interested in a development career, encourages practitioners to engage in reflection, and persuades researchers to further consider the influence of practice on project success or failure.