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Targeted Policies and Programmes Vital to Reduce Poverty

22 September 2005

"Developing countries need to explore ways in which to generate internal resources and reduce their dependency on external financing, which should be a supplement. "

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can only be delivered through appropriate policies and programmes targeted at poverty reduction, as well as adequate financing for development, says Opa Kapijimpanga, founder and chairman of the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development, a pan-African research and advocacy organisation that works to identify policy solutions to the African debt crisis.

In an article on 'Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and the MDGs', featured in the new Commonwealth Foundation publication 'Breaking with Business as Usual -- Perspectives from Civil Society in the Commonwealth on the Millennium Development Goals', Mr Kapijimpanga writes that the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which is a national development plan that outlines a country's defined policy framework on ways to reduce poverty, has been part of a conditionality structure for development assistance and debt relief outlined by international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Both these institutions are the main stakeholders in the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative debt relief process.

Mr Kapijimpanga, who is also a senior research fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Lusaka, Zambia, points out that the PRSPs are often geared towards rapid privatisation and trade liberalisation, to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the domestic producers and speed up the country's integration into the global economy. This relates to growth and inflation objectives; reduction of fiduciary risks; monetary policy; external sector issues including exports, imports and foreign direct investments; and private sector development.

He says that if the MDGs are to be attained, their achievement cannot be related to the assumed relationship between growth and poverty reduction. Specific programmes must be designed to have a direct impact on poverty reduction for effective results. More importantly, the programmes must be aimed at sustainable development, which includes strengthening the forces and institutions of democracy and good governance. Donor harmonisation, he notes, will assist in securing a common approach to overcoming some of the constraints that development aid has had in delivering sustainable development.

Mr Kapijimpanga also emphasises the need for countries to move away from external dependence to finance development, to avoid the tussle between national ownership and donor control of the PRSPs and MDGs.

"Developing countries need to explore ways in which to generate internal resources and reduce their dependency on external financing, which should be a supplement. This will go a long way in attaining sustainable development," says Mr Kapijimpanga.

He states that the MDGs serve as a tangible guide to a country's PRSP because of the targets that have been put in place for different stages of achievement of the Goals.

For more details on 'Breaking with Business as Usual', visit the website http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com./

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 253, 21 September 2005