Recommended readings
Reforming the international aid architecture: options and ways forward
Focus on implementing the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness
Authors:
S. Burall; S. Maxwell; A. R. Menocal
Publisher:
Overseas Development Institute, London, 2006
This Overseas Development Institute working paper describes the characteristics and constraints of the current international aid architecture. It also summarises the perceptions in developing countries of the strengths and weaknesses of key bilateral and multilateral aid agencies. The paper presents five options for reform of the international aid architecture. These are: do nothing; rely on harmonisation and alignment in the Paris Declaration; harmonisation and alignment with additional features; increased multilateralism of aid delivery; and empowerment of aid-receiving countries.
The paper concludes that countries should focus in the short term on implementing the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and strengthening the capacity of recipient governments. This will enable them to play a greater role in aid co-ordination at the national level and use the aid they receive more effectively. This will require technical assistance and capacity-building for governments as well as civil society and parliaments to monitor developmental programmes. [adapted from authors]
