Aids works - let's prove it!

Now that strong international consensus has been reached onhow to combat poverty, it is argued that words must be put intodeeds. To improve effectiveness of aid, the Netherlands hasdecided to focus its programme on countries that perform wellin terms of good policy and good governance. By doing this,the old style conditionality debate can be avoided. Donors'attitude towards recipients should become based on partnership,so that the recipient government can be in control. Reformsare needed both in making donor programmes more coherent andfocused on development, and in making recipients' public expendituresbetter coordinated and managed.