Publication

This paper presents conclusions from a study on the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, conducted in 2006 and 2007. The findings are relevant to three particular themes of the declaration: country ownership, aid alignment and incentives for change. The study concludes that, in key respects, the Paris Declaration agenda is not radical enough. It is also conducive to exaggerated responses and undue "political correctness". Donors need to be persuaded to micro-manage less but engage more. At the same time, both donors and country leaders should stop blaming political incentives that limit changes in their behavior and start acting to transform them.