Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Accra (Agenzia Fides) – “A declaration with progressivist rhetoric, but it is yet to be seen of it will be supported with concrete actions that will guarantee aid for the poor.” This was how the representatives of the Churches and religious organizations described the final document of the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, which ended on September 4, in Accra, Ghana (see Fides 3/9/2008).
The final document, the so-called “Accra Declaration,” reaffirms the “ownership” or responsibility that governments in developing nations have in creating aid policies. To the countries who are benefactors, it asks that they “respect the priorities of the country receiving the aid, investing its own human resources and institutions, making better use of its systems so as to better distribute the aid...” The document also makes reference to those countries that have already made progress on the road to development, that have gone from being merely recipients to being donors as well, in a cooperative effort. The document expresses the need for greater commitment on the part of organizations and civil society, especially those promoted by the Catholic Church and the Christian communities.
René Grotenhuis, who has been following the Forum for Caritas Internationalis affirms that “the churches have shown that they are a powerful actor in society
to push for greater ownership. With our communities, deeply rooted in their national
societies, we as churches will hold our governments accountable to ensure sure that
people benefit from our national resources and from international development assistance.”
Bishop Mvume Dandala, Secretary General of the All Africa Conference of Churches, AACC, says that “the Churches are seeking justice and development, not bad charity. The Churches have raised their voices “for developing countries to get clear commitments and time-bound targets to put them in charge of their own development, for fewer conditions to be imposed on aid agreements and to get increased predictability of aid flows.”
Despite disappointments, the forum has seen some gains. Civil Society, parliamentarians and women’s movements in particular have found space to voice their concerns to decisions-makers, they have raised their visibility and influence. This provides new opportunities to build for a better future. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 5/9/2008)
