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What are the Requirements for a ‘Dialogue in
Pursuit of Development’
Alassane Dramane Ouattara 1
The current situation both in Africa and Asia appeals to all of us simply
because in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, more than 40 per cent of the
people still live under the poverty threshold – 800 million people in the
world, of whom 200 million children suffer from malnutrition. In the fortyeight
least developed countries, school attendance rates do not exceed 36
per cent. The most dangerous transmittable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS,
malaria, and tuberculosis disproportionately affect poor populations in developing
countries. Globalization which appears mainly as a growing increase
in trade and private investment flows, creates opportunities although
it entails risks of marginalization. The debt burden often deprives developing
countries of any bargaining power. The increase in imbalances proves
that growth and certain forms of aid are not always sufficient to solve the
problem. Poverty and the exclusion it leads to are the main sources of conflicts
as well as threatening the stability and security of too many countries
and regions.
More than ever, the question of development is paramount and it calls
for more solidarity among the inhabitants of our world. Obviously a lot has
been done in terms of aid for development, nevertheless, a lot more needs
to be done. Given the lessons from the past, it seems that efforts should be
geared towards three directions today if development aid is to be more
efficient and a dialogue in pursuit of development possible.
For a shared vision of both partners – the donor and the recipient
Principles and objectives
Any efficient development policy rests on the principle of a human, social
and sustainable development based on fairness and participation. Promotion
of human rights, democracy, respect for law and order and good governance
of public affairs are part and parcel of the process. The main objective
of any efficient development policy must be poverty reduction in order
to eliminate poverty in the long run. This implies backing durable eco-
1 Alassane D. Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire) has a PhD in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Combining politics with work in the economic field, he was formerly Prime Minister in Côte
d’Ivoire, 1990–1993, and Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, 1994–1999, before becoming an
opposition leader in Côte d’Ivoire after its elections in 2000.
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