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New Book: The development aid controversy. Do more, but do the right thing!

Time and time again, fundamental questions are raised by influential voices about the effectiveness of development cooperation. Aid has contributed nothing to economic growth, the critics say. It has not lessened poverty, and it often flows into the wrong pockets – those of the rich and powerful.

Since the end of 2006, Alliance Sud and its member organisations have been taking a deeper look at this fundamental criticism. That process culminated in the publication in mid-May 2008 of the book entitled «Der Streit um die Entwicklungshilfe. Mehr tun – aber das Richtige!» (The development aid controversy. Do more, but do the right thing!). From his standpoint as a specialist, author Peter Niggli shows what development cooperation can achieve, why the UN Millennium Goals are useful and why more must be done.

The Director of Alliance Sud cautions against losing sight of the limitations of development cooperation. He argues that development aid, albeit important, is no more than a complement to development processes. It is successful and meaningful when its focus is to improve the living conditions of the poorest and offer them new hope. Today, however, much of development funding is being misused to safeguard the interests of the «donors».

Based on Niggli's analysis, Alliance Sud and its member organisations outline their «Development Cooperation Agenda» in the second part of the book. It describes the guiding principles of and the most important challenges facing Switzerland's official development assistance.

The book is available in german and french. An english version is planned for November/December 2008.

More information and possibility to order (in german)