Memorandum submitted by One World Action
1. One World Action is a UK based NGO working
with 41 local partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We create
the power and opportunity for the poorest citizens to transform
their own lives and we challenge international policies that make
and keep people poor. One World Action is a PPA agency. This submission
includes feedback from some of our partners.
CONCERN WITH
CLASSIFICATION OF
COUNTRIES AND
SUBSEQUENT 90:10 SPLIT
IN FUNDING
DFID's classification of middle income countries
as defined by "gross national income per capita" masks
deep inequalities and absolute poverty—this decision
excludes some of the world's most marginalised people from receiving
UK government aid.
Jen Albano, Institute for Politics and Governance,
Philippines
2. A third of the world's people who survive
on less than $1 a day are living in middle income countries (MICs).
Latin America which has the majority of MICs is the most unequal
region in the world. In Africa 4 out of the 10 highest HIV prevalent
countries in the world are MICs. Research shows there is also
a correlation between HIV spread and inequality, for example the
sex trade tends to grow in areas where large wealth disparities
exist. Using a classification based on income per capita is too
blunt a tool that poses a barrier to the attainment of the MDGs.
3. While we welcome DFID's emphasis on aid
to low-income countries, we would urge that the needs and interests
of the poorest women, men and children in MICs are more fully
addressed.
ABSENCE OF
GOVERNANCE IN
THE REPORT—THE
MISSING MDG
4. DFID has a vital role to play in promoting
democratic inclusive governance that is vital to reducing
poverty, gender inequality and achieving the MDGs in sustainable
ways.
5. Although good governance is mentioned
as a strategic objective DFID does not report against any governance
indicators and there is no mention of the Country Governance Analysis
tool. The only other mention of governance (p 146) is in relation
to the role that civil society plays.
6. A challenge to all countries is building accountable
and democratic governments and public sector institutions, and
increasing the influence of citizens in decision-making. Supporting
mechanisms to strengthen government accountability is the most
sustainable way to ensure partner country ownership. If we are
to see more democratic and legitimate governments and policies
responsive to human rights and civil liberties DFID must recognise
the key role that civil engagement can play in developing and
strengthening the demand side of good governance—through
funding civil society organisations (for example to lobby for
gender equity policies at local level, to work with national commissions
to implement and monitor national gender action plans, to reduce
structural political violence and impunity that prevent women
becoming engaged in governance issues) and establishing and reporting
against governance indicators (including local governance) in
future annual reports.
BUILDING AN
EFFECTIVE ORGANISATION
7. We welcome the joint DFID/BERR unit on
trade but are still concerned about the lack of policy coherence
across Government. DFID has a critical role to play in ensuring
that eliminating poverty and promotion of human rights and sustainable
development are not undermined by other UK policies, particularly
those of trade, defence and security. Future Annual Reports should
report against outcomes related to policy coherence and how DFID
are meeting targets in this area.
8. Given the emphasis on building public
support for development, One World Action was concerned to
see recent research revealing DFID is only recognised by 4% of
the UK public. More emphasis is needed on evaluating public contact
and supporting genuine and accessible engagement with new audiences.
This must be reported on in future Annual Reports particularly
if aid targets are to be welcomed and supported by UK tax payers.
9. Future reports should outline the strategies
that will be used by DFID to ensure an adequate level of commitment
to and expertise on DFID's core values, in particular on gender
equality, women's empowerment and good governance, from the increasing
number of private companies and consultants that are employed
to implement DFID policies. It would be useful if the Annual Report
could outline whether adequate resources are being deployed to
build capacity and understanding in these areas.
10. We would recommend that future reports
include an evaluation into the use of private companies to
administer Government funds. This is particularly relevant given
the delays with decisions on the Governance and Transparency Fund
that caused great uncertainty for civil society groups in the
South and undermined DFID's reputation internationally.
11. We welcome the attention and inclusion
of gender analysis throughout the report but would suggest including
data on the political participation of women in local government
and public institutions.
EFFECTIVENESS OF
DFID'S MECHANISMS
FOR EVALUATING
THE IMPACT
OF ITS
AID
12. We welcome direct budget support (DBS)
as an opportunity to reform the relationship between donors and
developing countries. DBS can increase country ownership and enhance
long term financial planning by recipient governments. However
DFID is accountable to Parliament for ensuring that its expenditure
on DBS is properly accounted for and used for the intended purposes
of poverty elimination.
13. When funds are granted to the recipient
government DFID is not directly responsible for the use of those
funds. Therefore the report should include greater acknowledgement
of the associated risks and the subsequent assessment and monitoring
procedures that will be used for DBS—for example when
channelling funds to governments such as Cambodia. The next report
should include a comprehensive overview of how DFID will mitigate
and monitor these risks.
14. DFID should take steps to make funds
available to civil society organisations and particularly women's
organisations.
15. The risks of weakening linkages between
state and civil society by increasing DBS should also be better
acknowledged and addressed.
16. DBS and other forms of financing for
development which foster country ownership and pave the way for
better governance must have a framework for consulting with
civil society, in particular women's organisations which will
lead to more gender sensitive resource allocation.
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