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Figures for 2000
show a big rise in the UK aid/GNP ratio
Provisional figures released April 2001 show UK aid as
a percentage of GNP at 0.31% of GNP. This is a big rise compared to the
1999 figure of 0.23%. - a 37 per cent in real terms over the (artificially
low) 1999 level. This figure brings UK aid back up to its 1993 and 1994
level. See http://www.dfid.gov.uk
UK Prime Minister
& Africa Partnership Initiative
A report
outlining ways in which the UK might respond to proposals for a new partnership
with Africa was submitted to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in December
2000. The report was produced by an informal task group involving DFID,
the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence and external advisers. The UK
API process aims to support the work being carried out by Presidents Mbeki,
Obasanjo and Bouteflika, who have been charged by the OAU with developing
a Millennium African Recovery Plan. Email Ellie Kiloh e-kiloh@dfid.gov.uk
fax + 44 (0) 207 917 0652.
Brown, Short, Wolfensohn
and NGOs on child poverty
Chancellor Gordon Brown,
DFID and consortium of UK NGOs have been exploring further steps that
could be taken to reduce child poverty. A detailed NGO paper entitled
Eliminating World Poverty for Today's Children - Tomorrow's Citizens was
published in Feb 2001, prior to a 26 Feb 2001 Westminster Conference involving
the Chancellor, International Development Secretary, Bank President James
Wolfensohn and others. The NGO paper makes the case that there are no
child-neutral macro-economic and fiscal policies; PRSPs must include a
specific child focus; public sector reform and aid mechanisms (including
conditionality) must reflect priority to children. The report outlines
a 6 point plan, and argues for different actors to shoulder specific responsibilities.
Save the Children's website gives a detailed assessment of the Brown initiative
and prospects for progress, see www.scfuk.org.uk/
Tel + 44 (0) 20 7703 5400 or the UK Treasury website http://www.treasury.gov.uk/press/2001/p20_01.html
for Gordon Brown and Clare Short's closing statements.
Globalisation
UK White Paper
The second UK White
Paper published since the Labour Government took office in 1997 is on
Globalisation. Published Dec 2000, it commits the government to introducing
a new Development Bill, to update the 1980 Act and to reach 0.33% GNP
by 2003/4. The 1999 level was 0.23% but 2000 saw a major rise to 0.31%
GNP. The White paper can be downloaded from www.globalisation.gov.uk
For UK NGO perspectives see BOND Networker Feb 2001 www.bond.org.uk/advocacy
BOND fax + 44 (0) 20 7837 4220. Also see Oxfam Parliamentary Briefing
12, email cculey@oxfam.org.uk
Background Papers
on globlisation issues including NGOs
A wide range of background papers were commissioned by DFID for the White
Paper. These can be read and downloaded from http://www.globalisation.gov.uk/BackgroundPapers.htm
The background paper called Global Development Assistance: The Role of
Non-Governmental Organisations and other Charity Flows by Development
Initiatives does not seem to download well from the DFID site, but you
can see details of this paper by clicking summary
(.pdf version)
Statistics
on UK aid
DFID's annual Statistics
on International Development report covering 1995/96 to 1999/2000 has
been published giving a detailed statistical picture of UK aid in 185
pages email enquiry@dfid.gov.uk fax
+ 44 (0) 1355 844099.
Queen's speech:
Oxfam on Arms exports
An Oxfam briefing prepared
around the 2000/2001 Queen's speech urges UK action on arms, asylum, education,
debt, PRSPs and a range of regional issues email Mary Kirkbride on mkirkbride@oxfam.org.uk
Public attitudes
in the UK
The role of TV in shaping
UK public awareness of developing countries is explored in depth in the
Viewing the World Study, published by DFID in July 2000. For the summary
or full report Tel + 44 (0) 845 4100 www.dfid.gov.uk
Sustainability
in the UK
On 25 Jan 2001, progress
the UK has made on sustainable development was highlighted by both government
and NGOs at separate meetings. The government published a report on key
indicators ranging from investment, through health, poverty, housing,
crime and a range of environmental measures - whilst the NGO Real World
Coalition published their own assessment entitled From Here to Sustainability.
According to NGOs the picture is mixed with progress on 5 headline indicators
and negative outcomes on 5. The suggestion is of more progress on social
than environmental issues. Real World wants the government to establish
and report on an international development indicator. Email realworld@forumforthefuture.org.uk
fax + 44 (0) 20 7251 6268.
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has published (March 1999) its most detailed ever departmental report (CM4210) which in 172 pages provides an overview of Britain's aid and broader development co-operation policy. Boxes cover:
- targets identified under the comprehensive spending review,
- cash plans for aid allocations over the next three years
- an outline organisational chart
- an overview of DFID's activities and how it is going about implementing the 1997 White Paper which increased the emphasis on poverty and new forms of partnership with recipient governments, civil society and multilaterals.
£24.00 from the Stationery Office. Website: www.official-documents. co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm Fax: 0171 873 8200. DFID can be contacted by e-mail on enquiry@dfid.gov.uk by fax +44 1355 84 3632. Or on the web www.dfid.gov.uk
Since the Nov 97 White Paper, DFID has been revising its Country Strategies. Sixteen have now been published: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam. For copies, contact DFID Library, enquiry@dfid.gov.uk Fax +44 (0)1355 843632.
New DFID funding mechanisms for civil society
Following the DFID Civil Society consultation during 1998, the former NGO unit has been replaced by a new department called the Civil Society Unit. This will manage funding but will also take an overview of relations between civil society and the department. The Joint Funding Scheme, under which DFID co-funded NGO projects to the tune of around £36 million in 1998/1999 is being replaced with Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF) with a greater emphasis on innovation. The Block Grant Scheme, currently available to just 5 large agencies will be replaced by Participatory Partnership Agreement (PPAs), which it is envisaged will apply to a wider range of agencies and will focus on long term strategic links between DFID and NGOs.
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