The Reality of Aid 1998/1999: An Independent Review of Poverty Reduction and Development Assistance

Citation

Tahir, F. (1999), "The Reality of Aid 1998/1999: An Independent Review of Poverty Reduction and Development Assistance", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 10 No. 5, pp. 58-59. https://doi.org/10.1108/emh.1999.10.5.58.4

Now in its sixth annual edition, The Reality of Aid has for the first time analysed the “fair share” of bilateral aid for basic social services ‐‐ basic education, basic health, reproductive health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation ‐‐ that should come from each donor; an analysis which shows only two donors meeting their fair share and the G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA) falling behind by over US$5 billion. This volume of The Reality of Aid focuses on basic education, as a right and not a privilege, and its role in development cooperation and poverty elimination.

A key feature of The Reality of Aid 1998/1999 is the ten chapters offering analysis of development cooperation from the perspective of southern NGOs. Many of these focus on basic education and raise issues around transparency, gender and civil society. As a commentary says, “if policies were programmes and promises were dollars, this book could report great progress on the road to eradicating global poverty this year. But at a time when donors acknowledge that ending poverty is possible, it seems that commitments are being offered instead of resources and real change.”

The book is neatly organised. Part I presents a useful summary, highlighting the steps that donors could take now to make progress towards poverty eradication, and reviews the trends in development cooperation, debt relief measures targeted towards the new millennium and commitment to the goal of ensuring basic education for all. Part II gives a full report on the overseas aid performance of OECD country aid donors and the European Union over the last year. Part III sets out a Southern perspective on development cooperation. Part IV provides “at a glance” comparisons of donors′ aid outlook and commitment to development cooperation in the twenty‐first century, poverty eradication, gender and public support. Part V contains handy reference material. Throughout the book, information is presented in easily interpreted diagrams and graphs.

The Reality of Aid represents a unique source of independent evaluation and comment on aid policies and development. It is indis pensable for all in the field, whether in the official or voluntary sectors.