PowerPoint Presentation Economic Growth and development in Southeast Asia

Is it all about economic development, reducing poverty?

Huh. ODA is dominated by bilateral aid.

• It should surprise no one to find that ODA is also dominated by (bilateral) foreign policy objectives, political alliances
• Countries provide significant aid to their former colonies
• US aid (including ODA) reflects geo-political concerns
• Egypt and Israel historically
• More recently Afghanistan, Pakistan (also in 80s), South Sudan, Iraq (declining, shifting to Afghanistan)
• Development and poverty reduction matters, at least for some donors, also for multilateral institutions (e.g. IDA, UN agencies)
• Greater focus on harmonization of aid, sectoral programs
• Country size is relevant
• Some donors (and multilaterals) try to improve aid effectiveness through greater selectivity on countries (esp smaller countries) and sectors
• Strengthen fragile democracies, transition to democracy and democratic institutions
• Commercial interests, strengthening trade ties are increasingly important in rising middle income countries

Lets look at the evidence—which countries received the most ODA in 2012?

Major ODA recipients – ranked by overall ODA flows in 2012

	Net ODA ($ millions)	ODA/capita	ODA as % of GNI
Afghanistan	6,725	225	32.6
Vietnam	4,118	46	2.8
Ethiopia	3,261	36	7.5
Turkey	3,033	41	2.4
DRC	2,859	44	10.3
Tanzania	2,832	59	10.3
Kenya	2,654	61	5.3
Cote d’Ivoire	2,636	133	10.1
Bangladesh	2,152	14	1.5
Mozambique	2,097	83	14.0
Pakistan	2,019	11	0.9
West Bank Gaza	2,001	495	16.5
Nigeria	1,916	11	2.5
Ghana	1,808	71	4.6

Major ODA recipients (cont)

	Net ODA ($ millions)	ODA/capita	ODA as % of GNI
Egypt	1,807	22	0.7
Syria	1,672	75	..
South Sudan	1,578	146	15.9
Morocco	1,480	46	1.6
Iraq	1,301	40	0.6
Serbia	1,090	151	12.7
Zimbabwe	1,001	73	8.7

Source: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/DT.ODA.ALLD.CD

The quality of ODA is improving: Reductions in share of aid through ineffective channels, 1979-2007

From Easterly and Williamson, 2011, Figure 10

Aid is only one way that rich countries affect poor countries…

• And (according to Deaton) probably the least important way
• Highlights importance of
• FDI, private investment flows
• Remittances, migration
• Flow of ideas, technology and basic science e.g. vaccines, medical equipment. Cell phones!
• Lifting trade restrictions, ensuring poor countries have access to international markets

What does this mean for your job search?

Again, be deliberate, fit your interests

• Most Official Development Assistance (ODA) comes with (many) strings—in terms of country and sectoral/strategic focus. Do these mesh with your interests?
• Ref: USAID Foreign Assistance Dashboard to learn about where US foreign aid goes
• Private Development Assistance (PDA) comes with different strings: are these a better fit for you?
• Look into some of the big West Coast NGOs e.g. Gates
• And there are increasing opportunities in the private sector… to work globally, in different country contexts and settings. Do these fit your career objectives?
• Consulting firms, private business is not a bad place to develop skills and get experience

Suggestions on strategies to equip yourself to be competitive in “your” job market? (including from my sources)

• Cultivate specific sectoral expertise and knowledge through your course work, even if only one or two classes
• Also Learn a specific skills e.g. check USAID website on performance monitoring.
• Develop and nurture good writing skills, learn to make sharp and focused presentations
• Find volunteer positions, internships in your chosen area of expertise (spring break, summers). Be willing to do desk work initially, you don’t have the field skills to compete with more seasoned job applicants
• UN, World Bank have small, very competitive internship programs
• Read voraciously, keep abreast of current events and news in your country/region
• Really go for it…Choose a region/country, travel there, volunteer and network. Or, join the Peace Corps, seek internships e.g. with UN organizations, non-profits.