Effective Health Aid

Aid effectiveness, transparency and democratic ownership are central components of any future development framework. Since the Busan High-Level-Forum in 2011 there has continued to be a great deal of progress in these areas, some of the important developments include:

Following the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4), two platforms have been set up.

First, the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation is the result of a multilateral agreement between CSOs, partner governments, traditional donors, South/South agencies, the BRICS, and private donors as set out in the Busan Outcome Document. For the first time, civil society organizations were recognised as full and equal participants in development. In the lead up to HLF4, CSOs worldwide agreed on principles to guide their work as laid out in the Istanbul Principles and the International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness – these agreements were recognised and given global legitimacy in the Busan Outcome Document.

Secondly, in February 2012, representatives of the global CSO platforms BetterAid and Open Forum met in Cebu (the Philippines) to reflect on the long-term implications of the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation for CSOs. The meeting endorsed the Cebu Consensus that enshrines the values, objectives and organizational principles of a new CSO platform merging the Open Forum and BetterAid into a single one currently named as CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE). The first meeting of the CPDE will take place in autumn 2012.

EC Communication on CSOs in development

As part of its continuous work of strengthening the role of civil society in development and promote development effectiveness, AfGH provided input to the online consultation preceding the launch of the EC Communication on Europe’s engagement with Civil Society in external relations in September 2012. Taking into account what was agreed in the Busan HLF4, the Communication suggests a stronger EU focus on CSO involvement in decision-making and accountability, aiming at increasing democratic ownership and transparency.

The Communication urges CSOs to play a more political role, implying that the EC must adapt the priorities of the EU support accordingly. There will be a strong focus on promoting an enabling environment for CSOs to operate at their best and on developing multi-actor partnerships focusing on capacity development. Financial support is proposed to be adapted to local needs and made more easily available for local organizations through a mix of funding modalities.

The Communication also raises the issue of policy coherence for development, where the EU is to “support CSOs activities at the European and global level which, in cooperation and partnership with local CSOs, act to monitor policy coherence for development, holding the international community to account for delivering on aid commitment”. AfGH Brussels is currently following up on what this Communication might mean for European CSOs and for Southern partners – and in longer term – for democratic ownership.

Action for Global Health and Aid Effectiveness

• AfGH continues to liaise with stakeholders at the national and EU level on following up on commitments made in Busan.
• AfGH is currently finalising a forthcoming report on European health ODA, which raises issues on transparency and aid effectiveness.