Italian ODA 2007: slight decrease and big increase in REAL aid

According to figures by the DAC, Italian aid in 2007 decreased by 3.6% but its "real aid" - discounting debt releif - increased by 46.7% from 2006 to 2007 - the secondo donors biggest increase - while aid to Africa almost trippling from 2006. Prospects for 2008 are still positive thanks to late 2007 financial appropriations to be disbursed in early 2008. If this positive trend continues, Italy could get its cooperation on track in time for its G8 presidency.

ONG pressures on standing PMs

With a view to the next general elections due on April, 13^th-14^th , the Italian Coordination of International Networks (CINI) - ActionAid, AMREF, Save the Children Terres des hommes, WWF, and VIS - tested the Premiership candidates and the outgoing members of the Foreign Affairs Commission commitments on international cooperation. This move is supporting a general commitment by all Italian CSOs to draw candidates attention on development cooperation.

A 10 question survey on quantity, quality of aid and management structure was sent to 70 people. Intermediate results were presented on March with the final to be published on April 7^th. At that time only 10 individuals had replied, with no response by the centre-right political parties – one replied the following day. Answers showed consensus on the following issues: increase in financial resources for ODA; pursuing policy coherence for development cooperation; recognition of the importance of civil society’s role in strategic issues; single management for all ODA resources. Building on this consensus, CINI wished the new legislature will soon tackle long terms problems of the Italian cooperation.