Development Assistance Policy Research Articles

Institutional Basis of International Development Assistance Policy

The article discusses the main characteristics and features of Russian International Development Assistance policy. This phenomenon is elaborated withing the theoretical part, based on Russian scientists’ expertise. Additionally, the article analyses the Concept of the State Policy of International Development Assistance. The authors emphasize the role of state-guided International Development Assistance as a direct manifestation of Russian foreign policy, as well as the reflection of national interests of the Russian Federation. The main part of the article presents the results of content analysis of International Development Assistance Comprehensive State Programme, conducted on open data basis. It is concluded that the data presented are insufficient to form a complete picture of the essence, composition and content of International Development Assistance. Moreover, it is mentioned, that the possibility to highlight the main directions and problematic issues of international assistance is clear.

Трансформация политики США, ЕС и КНР в области содействия развитию на фоне междержавного соперничества

The paper deals with official development assistance (ODA) policies of the USA, the EU and China in the comparative context of latest developments. The development approaches of the three actors under investigation demonstrate common features as well as idiosyncrasies in terms of management, resources, and ideological justification. All actors strive towards complex model of influence through ODA including tying together economic projects with sociocultural heft and security. The underlying trends characteristic of the USA, and in significant degree of the EU approaches combine traditional aim of reshaping sociopolitical institutions of target countries with growing securitization concerns. In the case of the U.S., one can speak of ‘militarization’ of ODA which means blurring the lines between military aid (and goalsetting) and traditional development assistance. China is on the way of reforming its international development cooperation industry, seeking to transform it into a more complex toolset of influence, better coordinated, and more closely knit to foreign policy and security objectives. In contrast to the Western paradigm, Beijing avoids imposing its model of development and threat perception upon the aid-recipient countries. The analysis concludes that “soft power” concept is being sidelined in the world of great power rivalry by more complex and hybrid formats of foreign influence which combine sociocultural, political, geoeconomic, and military instruments, with development assistance playing a role of one of the primary foreign policy resources. New dimensions of rivalry associated with industrial and technological race in energy, climate, and supply chains are coming to the fore in ODA policies. The role of sociocultural influence toolkit is growing given information and communication technologies progress, proliferation of non-state actors in international relations, and increasing activity of China in the area, which challenges the dominant positions the Western actors have enjoyed for over 30 years.

Rethinking Australia’s role in international co-operation for the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards transformative horizontal partnerships through triangular co-operation

Despite progress in various areas of development, rates of food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty remain high. Additional environmental pressures such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation continue to disproportionately impact those who are most vulnerable. Inclusive models of co-operative action, as emphasised in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, are valued for their potential to solve development challenges, promote sustainable development outcomes, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. International co-operation policy plays a crucial role in shaping how these international partnerships play out in practice. Over the several decades, the international development co-operation landscape has been shifting with a push for more ‘horizontal’ partnerships. Triangular co-operation is a potential model of partnership that embraces inclusivity and horizontality and is seen as a means to achieve the sustainable development agenda. In Australia, the election of a new federal government in May 2022 brought with it a renewed commitment to official development assistance and development co-operation policy and partnerships. The aim of this commentary is to take stock, pause, and reflect on how Australia currently ‘does development partnerships’ as well as looking to the future and the opportunities for change.

Foreign Development Assistance and Macroeconomic Policy Stance: The Underlying Levers of Growth in Emerging SSA Countries

The economic growth of emerging Sub-Saharan African countries is investigated in this study, with the aim of determining the relative impacts of foreign development assistance (FDA) and macroeconomic policies. The GMM and VECM models are respectively employed in estimating the long-run and short-run impacts. The short-run results indicate that FDA strongly complemented fiscal policy only, in facilitating economic growth within the period 1980–2019. The long-run results, on the other hand, show that FDA complemented both monetary and fiscal policies in driving growth. The results further reveal that exchange rate played a non-complementary role, and economic growth did not respond significantly to its own lag. Generally, the estimated impacts conform to theoretical expectations of the models. The results are also considered reliable for policy making. The possible policy measures emanating from the estimation results include sustenance of FDA inflow, reinforcement of monetary policy framework, maintenance of fiscal policy framework, enhancing efficiency of the exchange rate system, and allowing market forces to drive the economy.

The Official Development Assistance Policy of the European Union in the Post-Soviet Space: Geopolitical Factors

The structure, priorities, conceptual framework, methods, and resources of EU policies in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program are considered. Research shows that the EU funding of ODA programs for the post-Soviet space hiked fourfold between 2010 and 2020. The share of funding for Central Asian states decreased substantially compared to the Western part of the post-Soviet space against the background of confrontation with Russia, as well as due to presidential elections in Belarus. This paper argues that this redistribution is caused by geopolitical factors of EU policy. A conclusion is drawn that the recent declarations by the EU leadership about strengthening the “hard” power and the “geopolitical” agenda are not new and reflect long-term trends in EU foreign policy. Thus, a significant share of ODA funds is traditionally allocated to “social infrastructure,” strengthening Brussels’ control over the sociopolitical sphere in target countries of the periphery, aiming to bring them under EU influence in the economy, governance, goal setting, and ideology. This policy serves the interests of the EU, entrenching asymmetrical “metropole–periphery” relations between the EU and target counties.

GLOBALIZATION AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR GEORGIA

. To define the conceptual vision of the unified development of Georgia, it is necessary to understand it as a systemic process against the background of continuous historical and civilizational progress, which emphasizes the main features of the dynamic picture from time immemorial to the present. These visions have largely led to the development of the Georgian. National Security Concept. The geo-economic strategy of the country is an important part of it. Geoeconomics as a separate science emerged in the late twentieth century and studies the interaction between the man and the space. The formation of geoeconomic science is linked to the emergence of global economic problems. A characteristic feature of modernity has been the shift of the center of gravity of the struggle against the government to the economic sphere. Problems that have been solved by force of arms for centuries are finally being solved on the basis of finances and information. Economic wars have largely replaced conventional warfare. According to the American Scientists, Robert Blackville and Jennifer M. Harris's three-component definition, geoeconomics is the use of economic tools: to pursue and protect national interests; to achieve positive geopolitical results. Currently, in theory, geopolitical applications have seven economic instruments: trade policy, investment policy, economic and financial sanctions, cyber attacks, economic development assistance, financial and monetary policy, energy and commodity policy. They may be very different from each other, but it still makes sense to discuss them together. Geoeconomics is an interdisciplinary subject. It allows you to study and connect the best of different subjects around one topic. Therefore, the role of geoeconomics in the preparation of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students of economic profile is important. It allows to strengthen the interdisciplinary academic approach which will facilitate the optimal use of geo-economic instruments and the country's geo-economic potential for the interests of Georgia. The National Security Concept of Georgia, in order to realize and dispute the national interests of Georgia, analyzes the threats, risks and challenges facing Georgia and defines the main directions of Georgia's security policy. The use of geo-economic instruments plays an important role in the implementation of this policy.

Multistakeholder Partnerships for Development and the Financialization of Development Assistance

ABSTRACTMultistakeholder partnerships (MSPs) for development are being revitalized in the post‐2015 era as essential vehicles in financing and realizing sustainable development. This article argues that MSPs for development play a central role as new financial actors in shaping the legal and ideational structures of development assistance, pushing for a financialized development assistance model that relies on the steady multiplication of new financial markets and instruments. The article tracks the trajectory of MSPs and their transition over time into key actors in the financialization of development assistance. After summarizing the key axes of this financialization, the article describes how MSPs have become new financial actors by offering to play a four‐in‐one role (gap‐filling, catalysing, brokering and optimizing) in development financing. To do so, they use private legal mechanisms to create and roll‐out so‐called ‘innovative’ financial instruments and mechanisms such as up‐front incentives and subsidies, frontloading mechanisms, results‐based instruments and debt swaps. The resulting financialized development assistance model has amplified the power and influence of MSPs and their private donors over development governance and led to accountability shortcomings by downplaying the possible socio‐economic impacts of new proposed instruments and by creating risks of increased development assistance policy fragmentation.

Indonesia’s Self Identity in the Development Assistance Policy through South South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)

This article aims to examine the link between self-identity and foreign policy, particularly focusing on how state’s self-identity is built and sustained through policy. Using Indonesian development assistance policy through South South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a case study, this article finds that Indonesia self-identifies as a middle power country with strong affiliation towards developing countries as a result of national role conception processes. This self-identity in turn are built and sustained through SSTC development assistance policy, due to the suitability of role obligations as a middle power country with the values carried by the act of providing development assistance, as well as the deeply rooted historical dynamics of SSTC development policy with developing country status.

Effects of Development Assistance for Health in Developing Countries

This article assesses the effects of international aid on the health sector in developing countries. We use estimation techniques such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), instrumental variables with fixed effects, and the dynamic panel approach. Using the data from various sources over the period 1990 to 2017 covering 126 developing countries, the initial results show that health aid contributes effectively and significantly to improved health outcomes in the developing countries at 1 and 5% of the significance thresholds. These results give the picture that the mobilization of the international community in favour of the health sector in the context of the MDGs through health aid has been more effective in achieving certain health goals from the 2000s onwards than before the Millennium Declaration. This study shows that it is in the interest of development partners, particularly those in the health sector, to significantly improve the survival and health of the populations of developing countries through health aid. It is recommended that development assistance policies be designed to take into consideration the existing institutional framework and how these resource flows interfere with, and therefore change, the incentive structure of recipient countries. The transfer of resources in the form of health aid to meet current needs must be complemented by other additional actions, such as education campaigns and infrastructure improvements, in order to achieve long-term improvement.

The autonomy of international organizations? The analysis of major powers’ influence over the World Bank’s aid policies

Are international organizations autonomous actors in global politics? This paper investigates whether and how major powers influence the World Bank’s official development assistance policies. Despite the World Bank’s attempts to maintain independence from its member states, we argue that major powers are still influential. Testing this expectation with the data of official development assistance provisions between 1981 and 2017, we find that the World Bank provides a higher amount of official development assistance to the recipient countries that receive a higher amount of such assistance from the major powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan. In addition, the World Bank is prone to provide a higher amount of official development assistance to the recipients that have a similar preference to the major powers. This study sheds light on the relations between major powers and international organizations.

“ AFRICAN OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE (ODA) DEMAND AND POLICY DIRECTIONIN THE POST-CORONA ERA.”

This study is based on a social network analysis of newspaper articles relating to the Corona pandemic contained in the African daily newspaper African News. The aim of the study is to analyse what life-changes have been brought about in Africa as a result of the Corona pandemic, so that this information can be used in official development assistance policies for Africa. For this purpose, a text network analysis method was used. As a result of the analysis, the life-changes experienced by African residents as a consequence of the Corona pandemic are summarized into five broad categories. The five topics are: the Government’s countermeasures against the virus; recovery measures in African countries; measures relating to personal health; Government measures relating to schools; and an increase in the number of deaths from Coronavirus. After the Coronavirus pandemic, the ​​aid that should be provided most urgently to Africa is in the fields of health and education. It is hoped that aid donors will refer to the points found in this analysis and reflect them in their aid policy.

Norway’s Development Assistance Policy: Legal Framework, Conceptual Ground and Current Trends

Goal – the goal of the present article is to put into perspective the conceptual framework of Norway’s development assistance policy. It argues that the Norwegian approach to development assistance stems from the welfare-state ideology, the position of moralism and the humane internationalism formed due to Norway’s identity as a small state. In this vein, Norway regards development assistance as a crucial way to promote its socio-political values and maintain international stability. Being one of the most generous donors of ODA in proportion to the size of its economy, Norway demonstrates its readiness to have a moral responsibility for the global common good. Research methodology – the methods used in the article are external research of offi cial documents and reports of Norwegian governmental agencies and international organizations, as well as historical analysis of key pillars and trends of Norwegian development assistance. Score/result – the article is distinguished by a high scientific level. Originality/value – the article represents the original complex approach to the pro blem of Norwegian development assistance providing substantial analysis of its legal framework and conceptual ground.

International Development Assistance Policy of the PRC: Goals, Methods, Tools, Assessments

International development assistance policy of the People's Republic of China was launched almost immediately after the formation of the nation-state in 1949, which has made it possible by now to create a solid foundation and an extensive system of international interaction. Nevertheless, today we are witnessing the beginning of a new stage in China's international development assistance policy, which is expressed both in a sharp increase in funding for this field and associated with its use as a mechanism to achieve the goals of the «Chinese Dream», the development of the «Belt and Road Initiative» and promoting the construction of the «Community of common destiny for mankind». As a result, the allocation by Beijing of international assistance, grants and soft loans is becoming one of the most effective ways to strengthen international positions and form a more active foreign policy course.

Business models for sustainable development: Projects of global extension of medical technologies of Japan

Japan has been implementing projects of global extension of medical technologies under an official development assistance policy to improve public health and medicine by promoting Japanese medical technologies worldwide. The current work examines the impact and goals of implementing this new scheme. The scheme has involved dozens of projects that sent Japanese experts to partner countries and that invited their counterparts to Japan to showcase Japanese medical technologies. Approximately 50 projects have been implemented in 24 countries over 5 years, and 19,638 individuals have been trained. As a result, the introduced technology was adopted in national guidelines in 4 projects and the introduced equipment was procured in the partner country in 17 projects. In total, 912,334 individuals have benefitted from the introduction of these medical technologies. The concept of "creating shared value" (CSV) could help promote project success by both creating economic value and encouraging social progress. However, the sustainability of that business model remains in question in terms of the internationalization of CSV. Several successful projects improved medical care and led to new business opportunities.

Local Government and Network Governance in the Era of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS): Gyeongsangbukdo Province and Daegu Metropolitan City in South Korea

This article aims to discuss the roles of local governments in the era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a case study of Gyeongsangbukdo Province and Daegu Metropolitan City in South Korea. The study looks at the main official development assistance (ODA) policies and activities of these two local governments, and how these two local governments have adopted the SDGs framework. In doing so, this study has employed the approach of network governance regarding the establishment of partnerships between a central authority and local governments and between local governments and other aid stakeholders at the local level. The findings of the study suggest that local governments’ ODA policies and activities in South Korea are barely commensurate with recent norm change at the international level. Given this, this study argues that local governments in South Korea need to develop their ODA capacity building in order to be in line with international norms.

The Turning Point in International Development Cooperation of South Korea

Clarifying how South Korean aid had been changed during the procedures to join Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Development Assistance Committee (DAC), and the background why South Korea made a decision to become a DAC member are the main purposes of this study. Prior researches have identified a few reasons that clarifying emerging donor’s DAC entering mainly focused on external factors. This study describes South Korea’s decision to join DAC had been decided through domestic debates, unlike previous studies. The policy documents and qualitative interviews used to analyze the changes of aid and background in South Korea, especially during the 2000s. In 2005, the South Korean government announced a plan for aid policy reforms by 2010. The establishment of the Committee for International Development Cooperation for comprehensive aid policy‐making expansion of aid volume, and the increase in grant ratio were the major changes in this process. The members involved in Official Development Assistance policy reforms were not only officials but professionals who pursued a career in civil society as well. The Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004 worked as one of the catastrophic events that pushed Korea to shift to real policy reform, but more than that, there was a social consensus on South Korea’s obligation to become an international donor. Keywords: ODA, Korea, DAC, Emerging donor DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/98-30 Publication date: June 30th 2020

Professionalising gender and development expertise: innovations in capacity‐building and credentialing

Gender training does not adequately prepare gender and development professionals (GDPs) to undertake robust gender integration of development and humanitarian assistance (D&H) policies and programmes and limits their ability to impact gender equity and equality and development overall. In particular, GDPs lack sector‐specific and applied technical skills in gender analysis and integration. These limitations undermine GDPs’ own performance and their credibility with employers and colleagues who rely on them for professional guidance in gender integration. To address these shortcomings and advance the field of gender and D&H, this note describes a new model of gender capacity‐building that introduces three innovations: (1) sector‐specific, job‐related and outcome‐based gender analysis and integration competencies, (2) a professional development capacity‐building short course based on the competencies and applications to D&H policies and programmes and (3) a professional credential that recognizes possession of these critical competencies.

A comparison of development assistance policies: Turkey and the European Union in sectoral and humanitarian aid

ABSTRACT In recent years, Turkey has allocated humanitarian aid that surpasses much richer economies, including the EU. This article provides a thorough look into the patterns of divergence, complementarity and cooperation opportunities that emerged between Turkey and the EU, on sectoral aid, allocated between 2005 and 2017. The empirical analysis demonstrates whether foreign aid sectors that Turkey is active in could lead to further cooperation with the EU. These possible avenues of cooperation matter precisely because Turkey’s potential role to contribute to the global development agenda, as an emerging donor. Second, Turkish foreign aid has the potential to contribute to the EU’s collective interests in foreign policy, since Turkey is still an EU candidate country. This article aims to contribute to the literature on emerging donors using the Turkish case as an illustration of the differences among donors, as well as foreign aid literature within the contours of European integration.

WIN-WIN! with ODA-man: legitimizing development assistance policy in Japan

Official development assistance (ODA) constitutes one of Japan’s most important foreign policy instruments as it builds Japan’s global network and supports allies in the Southeast Asian region and beyond. In the context of a rising China and an increasingly severe fiscal and demographic situation at home, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) promulgated a domestic-oriented legitimation campaign featuring a popular anime character rebranded as ‘ODA-man’ to increase public understanding of and support for Japan’s ODA. Drawing on interpretivist analysis of performances at a development cooperation promotion festival, anime videos on the MOFA YouTube channel and interviews and examining the use of rhetorical strategies, this article provides an in-depth study of the promotion of one of the central instruments in Japan’s foreign policy repertoire. Though he comes off as goofy and benign, ODA-man’s messages are serious ones that reproduce dominant economic and security narratives about Japan and the world. Analysis points to both innovation and path dependency in Japan’s foreign policy repertoire; while ODA-man may be new the story he is telling, and the way that he is performing it, is very much familiar. The article further illuminates important trends in the public legitimation of foreign policy in Japan.

Nothing new under the sun: South Korea’s developmental promises and neoliberal illusions

The Korean government has strategically promoted the country’s development assistance policies as an alternative to traditional donors’ failed development promises and disguised neo-imperialist policies. This article questions the adequacy of fit between this narrative of exceptionalism and the reality of Korea’s developmental policy prescriptions. Based on field interviews and an analysis of policy recommendation reports produced by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund’s Knowledge Sharing Program, this article shows that Korea is actually ‘kicking away the ladder’ by offering neoliberal prescriptions that are much more in line with global developmental liberalism than its own promotional narrative suggests. Korea is merely aligning itself with the global development status quo. But these prescriptions ease chaebols’ entry in developing markets and contribute to exporting an oppressive chaebol-led transnational labour regime, notably in the Philippines.