CHINA’S OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE TO THE PHILIPPINES

Aid giving is no longer the monopoly of the very rich countries. In fact, new players tagged as non-DAC (Development Assistance Committee) donors have recently established their foothold in some areas of the development sphere such as large scale infrastructure projects that previously were not well explored by the traditional aid givers. As the 2008 Global Monitoring Report observed: “The new donor’s increasing role is changing the aid landscape. New donors and modalities promise more resources and innovation for development.”

Among the Non-DAC donors, China stands in a league of its own. Observers point out that China not only has a different approach to aid, but it also makes no pretensions in projecting its economic ambitions and its intentions for aid giving— to show the world that China means business and cannot be ignored. It is a subtle declaration of its ascension as a respectable player in the international development scene (though not necessarily as a super provider of economic care since it still regards itself as a developing country). This early, China has ruffled some feathers in the aid-giving community via its blatant money rattling maneuvers. It is not surprising, therefore, that China’s comeback as aid donor has become the buzz in the international development assistance circle. As Professor Eduardo Tadem (2007) of the UP Asian Center commented, “China’s emergence as a new player in foreign development assistance introduces a new dimension to the global context of ODA.”  [read more]

GENDER EQUALITY AND AID EFFECTIVENESS A Briefing Paper

The realization of women’s rights and empowerment is a key prerequisite to a nation’s growth. This perspective has been recognized and advanced by civic movements and various stakeholders of different societies around the globe. For more than 30 years now, landmark international events1 underscored the significance of gender equality to development, charting a wide range of measures to carry out these goals as an “effective pathway for combating poverty, hunger and disease and for stimulating truly sustainable development” 2 (UNIFEM, 2003).

The world’s major aid donors, particularly the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development-Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC)3 affirm that they have long recognized the importance of gender equality as a vital issue for development and development cooperation. Since 1983, the OECD-DAC has acknowledged in various organizational documents that “Investment in gender equality and women’s empowerment is vital for improving economic, social and political conditions in developing countries within the framework of sustainable development. A focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment in development co-operation is a means to enhance the total effectiveness of aid. The knowledge, insights and experience of both women and men are required if development is to be both effective and sustainable” (OECD-DAC, 1999).  [read more]

OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND CLIMATE CHANGE FINANCE

Discussions on poverty reduction, human development, and human security are considered incomplete without incorporating the “climate change factor”. In view of this, typhoons, global warming, floods, landslides and other natural disasters can no longer be regarded simply as force majeure issues. As Christian Aid (2006) puts it: “The potential ravages of climate change are so severe…it could nullify efforts to secure meaningful and sustainable development in poor countries. At worst, it could send the real progress that has already been achieved spinning into reverse. No other single issue presents such a clear and present danger to the future welfare of the world’s poor.” Indeed, “climate change has become the defining generational challenge for the international community.”

With anthropogenic climate change sticking like the proverbial knife at our throats, the avowed role of official development assistance (ODA) was highlighted once more. Due to its versatility, ODA—one of the pillars of the “Financing for Development” architecture—is a de facto item in the list of ready financial sources for climate change-related programs and activities.3 As Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC acknowledged: “With appropriate policies and/or incentives, part of the additional investment and financial flows needed could be covered by the currently available sources” (e.g., ODA and foreign direct investments).  [read more]