By Suvendrini Kakuchi

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov 30, 2011 (IPS) – The idea of business as an effective development tool is gaining ground at Busan where hundreds of experts are gathered to charter a new chapter in global aid amidst growing political and economic uncertainty among donors. Continue Reading

By Suvendrini Kakuchi

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov 29 , 2011 (IPS) – Key actors meeting in Busan on Tuesday, the first day of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4), lay emphasis on inclusive ownership, mutual accountability and the platform of the groundbreaking 2005 Paris Declaration.

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By Miriam Gathigah

BUSAN, Nov 29 (IPS) – Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from around the world attending the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4) in this South Korean port city have a rare opportunity to be on equal footing with governments and donors in a global conference. Continue Reading

Suvendrini Kakuchi interviews YUKIKO OMURA, vice-president, International Fund for Agricultural Development

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov 28 , 2011 (IPS) – Rising food prices, natural disasters and an energy crisis that is turning wheat into ethanol instead of bread have raised the spectre of inadequate global food supply that hits the poor. This grim reality has finally turned the spotlight on agricultural aid and its link to development effectiveness. Continue Reading

Analysis by Miriam Gathigah

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov 28, 2011 (IPS) – When the G-8 countries, comprising the world’s largest industrialised nations, decided that improving Internet access to developing countries should be a priority, scores of leaders from developing world opposed the move. Continue Reading

By Miriam Gathigah

BUSAN, South Korea, Nov 27, 2011 (IPS) – Gender responsive budgeting becomes important when seen in the background of unpaid but important care work done by women, say delegates to an international meet on aid effectiveness in this South Korean city. Continue Reading

Sanjay Suri interviews BRIAN ATWOOD, chair of the Development Assistance Committee at OECD

LONDON, Nov 22, 2011 (IPS) – For a start, stop calling it “aid”, Brian Atwood, chair of the Development Assistance Committee at the OECD, tells IPS.

The aid effectiveness summit in Busan next week may move the dialogue further through the language of “development cooperation” instead, Atwood says. There could be a lot in a name here; it may signify the strengthening of a different way of partnering development. Continue Reading

By Inés Benítez

One of many women in Kenya who are self-employed thanks to microloans from the Women’s Enterprise Fund. Credit:Miriam Gathigah/IPS

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By Marcela Valente

Toba women discuss gender-inclusive projects at a weekly meeting in Rosario. Credit:Marcela Valente/IPS

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By Brian Atwood and Jeremy Hobbs*

Credit: Claudius/IPS

PARIS, Nov 1 (IPS) – Oxfam and major aid donors of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (the DAC) are often on opposite sides of the fence. Today though, we are on the same side —making sure that effective aid lifts people out of poverty.

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