Europe Development News |
Publish What You Fund Launches 2012 Aid Transparency Index
The global campaign for aid transparency, Publish What You Fund, has launched its 2012 index, assessing 72 multilateral and bilateral agencies, private foundations and climate and development finance institutions across 43 indicators related to aid transparency. The index shows that nearly half of all organisations received 'poor' or 'very poor' ratings, although average transparency score improved by 7% compared to 2011. Read the report summary here.
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UK, Norway and Sweden Join Contraception Partnership
The governments of the UK, Norway and Sweden have joined the US and several funder groups in a partnership that will increase access to contraceptives for 27 million women and girls in some of the world's poorest countries. The partnership is expected to avert more than 280,000 babies dying and 30,000 maternal deaths. The German pharmaceutical firm, Bayer HealthCare AG, have halved the current $18 price for its reversible contraceptive implant in return for the six year funding agreement, from January 2013.
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Credit: Wikimedia user Ciell
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Global Food Prices On The Rise
The inflation-adjusted food price index is now 44% higher than it was between 2002 and 2004, having risen yesterday by 1.4% to its highest point in six months, according to monthly figures published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. Oil-based foods are 50% higher priced than they were, while cereals currently cost 75% more than they did between 2002 and 2004. See how the new data compare with price levels over the last two decades using the Guardian's data map.
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Credit: Public Domain Images
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World Bank Urged To Promote Pro-Poor Procurement Guidelines
In a submission this week, Eurodad together with eighteen members and partners from the North and South, stressed the need for the World Bank to implement smart procurement guidelines that support the development of the domestic private sector of developing countries. The submission called for equality between local and foreign companies, consideration of social and environmental criteria, improved transparency and aid effectiveness. Read the full submission here.
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Unhappy Anniversary, EPAs
Ten years of 'economic partnership agreements' (EPAs) between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACPs) were marked with claims that they do not serve the interests of the world's poorest. Members of the Trade Justice Movement demonstrated outside the UK's Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to draw attention to their view that EPAs undermine agriculture and industry in developing countries. Their views about EPAs are outlined in a letter published in the Guardian. |
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 Credit: Fairtrade.org
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