Dialogue in Pursuit of Development - Are you looking for one of ...

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meetings called at the executive level on specific issues and exchanges
through chambers of commerce, there is hardly a dialogue with the private
sector. In fact, private enterprise would prefer to distance itself from the
clutches of predatory governments. This failure to conduct dialogue has limited
the potential for public sector/private sector partnership which could
create the conditions for enhancing private capital flows and direct foreign
investment. This would also ensure that private entities with external
shareholding are not used to implement and enhance the policies and practices
of the bilateral partners from whose countries they come.
The New Development Agenda
Three new processes, still in evolution, constitute the new development
agenda – the primary tenets of all of these are ownership, good governance,
sound economic policies, partnership and good performance, all achieved
through an enhanced dialogue process.
First, there is the National Long Term Perspective Study (NLTPS) or Africa
Futures Program introduced by the United Nations Development Program
in the early 1990s. Two equally important objectives guide the NLTPS
agenda – the Process which consists of participation by the general public in
the determination of development priorities and the Product which results
in a realistic long-term development plan that takes into account the country’s
endowments, the regional and global dynamics and the results of the
Process itself. While strong in internal dialogue, the NLTPS lacks an effective
means for dialogue between the beneficiary country and the donors. As
a result, it has not received the support that would make it a successful
instrument for designing and implementing the development agenda.
Second, there is the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) introduced
by the Bretton Woods Institutions in the late 1990s. Similar to NLTPS
the PRSP stresses ownership and participation, giving scope to beneficiary
countries to determine their own priorities based upon an internal consultation
process. It introduces new elements of partnership, requiring the donor
countries to change their policies and processes so as to achieve common
standards and allow more space to the beneficiaries. The strong backing
in resources by the Bretton Woods Institutions has made the PRSP an
acceptable instrument for dialogue. However, the linkage to HIPC and the
lingering dominance of the Bretton Woods Institutions results in strong
scepticism as to the real motivation and the long-term results.
The third new process is NEPAD the home-grown African development
agenda which is based upon a double compact. There is an internal compact
between the governing authorities of the country and citizenry in which
participation, accountability and good governance provide the foundation
for ownership. There is also a compact between Africa and its partners who
commit to a dialogue based on equality and respect for the beneficiary coun-