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

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so-called like-minded donors, all of which support programmatic aid
(Riddell).”
How a dialogue can be facilitated – recommendations
Below follows a summary of, in our view, the most important lessons learnt
by the contributors as shown in their contributions and how the shortcomings
presented above can be converted into recommendations for a future,
better dialogue. We have identified three important areas: the dialogue
process, capacity building and an emphasis on ownership.
The dialogue process
Take the international and regional development debate as point of departure
for the bilateral development dialogue. This international debate
aims at consensus building and decisions in the form of International
Conventions, regional charters, agreements and understandings at World
Summits and agreements on working relationships such as the Cotonou
Agreement.
Enter the bilateral dialogue with the understanding that all parties are of
equal value, representing sovereign states with their citizens’ best in mind.
Share and be open and clear about values and interests that govern cooperation.
When major differences occur between the parties in terms of values and
interests, the dialogue comes under severe constraints. Openness then
becomes increasingly important and special demands are made on all sides
for careful argumentation and careful listening in particular. When the
basic differences are too big and no agreements can be reached – end
government-to-government co-operation.
There must be a mutual respect for agreements reached between parties,
including clarity on resource commitments, payments and reporting principles.
Policy dialogue requires transparency and the necessary time for proper
political consultations for all parties and preparedness to listen to and
learn from each other.
The recipients countries themselves should aim at creating dialogue fora
which include different actors such as representatives of government, the
political community, the civil society – men as well as women, and the
direct beneficiaries. To the fora, also representatives of donors might be
invited.
Agree upon a realistic level of ambition in relation to the dialogue and
implementation capacity of the recipient. Context-specific, tailor-made
solutions are always to be chosen before general blueprints. Conditionality
should never be the entry point of the dialogue.