Development Co-operation Reviews
Subtitle: Belgium 1997
By: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Series: Development Co-operation Reviews -- no.23; Development co-operation review series -- no.23
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Paris
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 48
ISBN-13: 9789264162464
Subjects: Development
Description: The Belgian aid system has experienced serious problems in recent years and is now going through a crucial transition period. An action plan has been prepared by the Secretary of State for Co-operation and basic reforms are under way. This plan, entitled "Showing our colours -- Plan for the future of Belgian co-operation and development", was well received by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC). During its triennial peer review of Belgium's development co-operation policy and aid programme, the Committee also took note of the determination of the Secretary of State to design a co-operation programme that goes beyond economic and social considerations to take full account of the basic values of the society. In relation to general good practice among donors, the Committee indicated its support for a number of measures that might enhance the effectiveness of Belgium's development co-operation programme, including increasing efficiency by decentralising more executive functions and monitoring effectiveness through an active assessment, evaluation and feedback policy; raising staff skills through better training in key development subjects and by delegating authority both internally and to local offices; devising country strategies based on a new partnership approach; and focusing technical co-operation efforts on strengthening local capacity.
Table of contents: title: Summary and conclusions; title: Chapter I. Strategic framework; title: 1. General framework and new directions of government action; title: 2. Measures taken to implement the DAC recommendations; title: 3. Key themes related to capacity development in partner countries; title: Poverty alleviation; title: Social development; title: Promotion of the private sector; title: Gender equality; title: Environment; title: Conflict prevention and societal consolidation; title: 4. Aid co-ordination, consistency, strategies for different countries; title: 5. Aid evaluation and effectiveness; title: 6. Aid management; title: 7. Heightening general awareness of development issues; title: Public opinion; title: Development education; title: Chapter II. Main characteristics; title: 8. Volume and future outlook; title: 9. Composition and sectoral breakdown of aid; title: 10. Multilateral contributions; title: 11. Debt relief and rescheduling; title: 12. Geographical distribution; title: 13. Technical co-operation; title: 14. Financial terms and conditions of aid; title: 15. Non-governmental organisations; title: Press Release on the DAC Aid Review of Belgium; title: Description of Key Terms