Working for development in difficult partnerships

This report presents the topics covered at a Joint Workshop on "Working for Development in Difficult Partnerships", which took place from 28-29 October 2002, and which was organised by DAC Network on Good Governance and Capacity Development (GOVNET), the World Bank, the European Commission (EC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This report aimed to set out an agenda for action on difficult partnerships based on the results of the Joint Workshop for consideration by the DAC Senior Level Meeting which took place on 12-13 December 2002.

The discussion in the Joint Workshop focused on challenges and approaches to providing development assistance in country environments characterised by exceptionally weak policies, institutions, and governance. The objectives of the joint workshop were threefold:

• work towards a joint vision
• consult and dialogue with other stakeholders, including representatives from developing countries
• demonstrate the commitment by the donor community to improving their assistance despite the difficulties in this context.

As part of the workshop, participants were divided in break-out group discussions, which included:

• governance and pro-poor growth
• capacity development and change
• social service delivery
• aid co-ordination and coherence.

While recognising a variety of views on specific mechanisms, participants agreed that there was clear common ground on the key principles and approaches to working in difficult partnerships, and that it was time to focus on concrete implementation of this joint vision and co-ordination at the country level.