Development

  • SCA: Afghanistan's Road to Self-Reliance, March 2017

    The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, an INGO present in Afghanistan for decades, convened a conference in December 2016 to consider lessons learnt in security and development efforts. Incorporating offical reviews by the Danish and Norwegian governments of their interventions, and bringing Afghan development and rights actors to the stage, the conference explored civil-military lessons, as well as development and diplomacy interventions. This report captures the rich discussions and asks what better approaches might be considered going forwards.  

    PDF icon sca2016internationalconference_finalversion.pdf
  • Brussels Conference on Afghanistan: communique of participants, October 2016

    On 5 October 2016, the 75 countries and 26 international organisations participating in the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on 5 October 2016 issued a communiqué, renewing the partnership for prosperity and peace between the National Unity Government of Afghanistan and the international community. They underlined  their collective commitment to deepen and strengthen their cooperation to achieve Afghanistan's self-reliance in the transformation decade (2015-2024) and to create a political, social and economic environment that will allow Afghanistan to consolidate peace, security, sustainable development and prosperity. They noted that important progress has been achieved on Afghanistan's way to a functioning, accountable and increasingly sustainable state, but the substantial challenges that the country still faces require further efforts to safeguard and build on these joint achievements. 

    PDF icon BCA final communique.pdf
  • SCA: Experience on civilian-military interaction & consequences of the military intervention on aid delivery,

    Ahead of the Swedish government's evaluation of its engagement in Afghanistan, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan conducted research into an area of particular concern for them, civil-military cooperation. This minor qualitative interview-based study aims to give input to various questions around the impact of international military presence and actions on development initiatives.

    Beyond Incidents; SCA's Experience on Civilian-Military Interaction and Consequences of Military Intervention on Aid Delivery
  • SCA: Perspective of the SCA to the Inquiry on Sweden's engagement in Afghanistan, March 2016

    As with other countries, Sweden has conducted an evaluation of its intervention in Afghanistan from the period 2001-14.  The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan provided the following report, presenting their perspective on the contributions made both by their own programmes and the state of Sweden.  The report is based on their own internal reports and minutes and external op-eds, articles and other communications. 

    Concerning the Swedish and International Operations in Afghanistan 2001–2014: An SCA Perspective
  • Report of the UN Secretary General to the Security Council, March 2016

    Deteriorating security and an increasingly vocal political opposition placed increased pressure on the Government of Afghanistan, despite steps towards a possible peace process. The announcement of 15 October 2016 for parliamentary and district council elections brought renewed demands for electoral reforms. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces continued to face significant challenges in effectively countering the threats of insurgent groups across the country. The Government of Afghanistan took steps to further its economic reform agenda in the context of persistent slow economic growth and emigration, and began preparations for the ministerial-level development conference in Brussels.

    PDF icon sg-report-7march2016.pdf
  • BAAG: Migration & Development - The Case of Afghanistan, February 2016

    As part of our Media4Development programme, BAAG organised a policy-makers and development practitioners roundtable. The BAAG and RUSI Roundtable explored the causes of Afghan migration and asked why development efforts in Afghanistan are failing the Afghan people. Moreover, it raised the question of whether development aid is an appropriate tool for reducing migration and extremism and what are its limits? The report presents the main discussion points and recommendations. 

    PDF icon BAAG_ReportFeb2016_FInal.pdf
  • USIP: What can be done to revive Afghanistan's economy?, February 2016

    Reviving the Afghan economy during a time of intensifying violent conflict, declining external financial aid, and ongoing political uncertainty and dysfunction will be extremely challenging. But the country cannot wait for these entrenched problems to be addressed. While keeping expectations modest, this report proposes some targeted, near-term measures to increase confidence and stimulate the economy. 

    PDF icon USIP-What-Can-Be-Done-to-Revive-Afghanistans-Economy Feb16.pdf
  • Government of Afghanistan: State of Afghan Cities report 2015, February 2016

    The population of Afghan cities is expected to double within the next 15 years and by 2060, one in every two Afghans will be living in cities. In order to manage such a transition accurate data and information is essential.This report provides the first-ever assessment of the conditions in all of Afghanistan’s 34 Provincial Capitals, home to over 8 million people. It shows that Afghan cities are a driving force of social and economic development, state-building and peace-building, yet their full potential has been constrained by the absence of an effective urban policy and regulatory framework, insufficient and poorly coordinated investment, and weak municipal governance and land management.Volume One is a narrative report highlighting key issues including municipal governance, the urban economy, access to land and housing and the urban environment. Volume Two contains maps and data for all 34 Provincial Capitals.

    PDF icon GIROA State of Afghan Cities 2015 Volume_1.pdf, PDF icon GIROA State of Afghan Cities 2015 Volume_2.pdf
  • AREU: The Political Economy of Education & Health Service Delivery, February 2016

    Political settlements affect service delivery in Afghanistan, according to this AREU research study examining the health and education sectors of Afghanistan. This study tested the hypothesis that the character of political settlements at various levels (primary, secondary, and sectoral) may partly explain the varying delivery outcomes across the country. The study first assesses interference with service delivery by insurgents and local strongmen, finding largely affirmative responses in this respect, and then examines the variations in secondary settlements in the three provincial case studies. Finally, the study explores how local elites and government officials attempt to manage and control service delivery for their own ends.

    PDF icon AREU The Political Economy of Education and Health Service Delivery in Afghanistan.pdf
  • AREU: The other side of gender inequality - Men & masculinities in Afghanistan, January 2016

    As raised in our own Getting it Right gender event/report, failure to understand masculinity and male perceptions is likely to undermine gender-focused programme approaches in Afghanistan. This new study by Afghanistan Research & Evaluation Unit argues that even though masculinity is a significant gender studies issue, the term “gender” for Afghans is connected almost exclusively with women, leading to men’s resistance towards messages interpreted solely as “women’s issues”.The aim for this research is to explain how men’s attitudes, perceptions and actions are influenced by socio-culturally constructed ideas of manhood, and how these factors further affect the interaction between men and women in Afghan communities. The paper strives to address the issues connecting the notions of “manhood” to violence against women, as well as the degree in which men tend to claim the “control” over women’s life and their decisions. 

    PDF icon AREU The Other Side of Gender Inequality- Men and Masculinities in Afghanistan.pdf
  • AREU: Household Water Insecurity, December 2015

    Some recent WHO/UNICEF reports have indicated that the MDG for access to safe drinking water has been achieved in Afghanistan, far ahead of schedule. This discussion paper by AREU  suggests that such claims should be taken with great caution. The paper identifies a number of issues regarding how progress towards the MDG on ‘sustainable access to safe drinking water’ has been established for Afghanistan. These issues include inflated data (as found in influential reports from the WHO/UNICEF), methodological discrepancies between different national surveys, biased trend assessments, and unrealistic assumptions about the long-term sustainability of existing water systems.Based on the key points brought to light, the paper suggests a number of policy recommendations.

    PDF icon AREU Household Water Insecurity.pdf
  • Bond: What Development Means to Diaspora Communities, Nov. 2015

    This report examines the relationship between Diaspora communities and INGOs. The report states that both Diaspora communities and INGOs want to create positive change in developing countries, but their priorities, strategies and ways of working differ substantively. The report also notes that given their different approaches, they often operate in parallel to each other, with few regular opportunities to interact and collaborate. Communication and engagement have to be planned endeavours that take up resources and require capacity. Diasporas tend to lack trust in INGOs and their effectiveness. Moreover, the language and images used by INGOs often lead to mistrust, frustration and a sense of disconnection. Many Diaspora communities believe that INGOs perpetuate negative stereotypes and oversimplify the serious issues that affect the lives of their families and friends in their countries of origin. The report also makes recommendations on how to improve this relationship between Diaspora communities and INGOs.                                                                                               

    PDF icon what-development-means-to-diaspora-communities-1115.pdf
  • Senior Officials Meeting: Co-Chairs Statement, September 2015

    The Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) was held in Kabul on 5th September 2015.  Co-chaired by the Afghan Minister of Finance and the UN Special Representative, the meeting was attended by delegations from 41 countries and 11 international organisations.  The meeting followed the London Conference on Afghanistan in December 2014 and provided a forum for discussing key development needs and plans. A new framework to replace the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF) was drafted in advance and discussed in the meeting - called the Self-reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF).  This statement reflects on the SOM discussions and commitments. 

    PDF icon 20150905 Senior Officials Meeting Co-Chairs' Statement.pdf
  • Government of Afghanistan: Self-reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework, September 2015

    At the Senior Officials Meeting in Kabul on September 5th, the Afghan government and international community agreed a new partnership framework, the SMAF.  This replaces the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework, agreed and adopted in July 2012.  The SMAF poses the activities and developments for both parties in Afghanistan's journey to stability and self-reliance. Six areas of attention are posed: 1: Improving Security and Political Stability; 2: Anti-corruption, Governance, Rule of Law, and human rights; 3: Restoring Fiscal Sustainability & Integrity of Public Finance and Commercial Banking; 4: Reforming Development Planning and Management & Ensuring Citizen’s Development Rights; 5: Private Sector Development and Inclusive growth and development; 6: Development Partnerships and Aid Effectiveness

    PDF icon SMAF MAIN with annex 3 sep 2015.pdf
  • BAAG: Policy position paper on Service Delivery, July 2015

    Following the General Election in May 2015, BAAG and its members prepared a briefing pack for MPs and ministers.  These covered the themes of Governance, Human Rights, Service Delivery, Women's Rights and Humanitarian.  They each present an overview of the progress and remaining challenges in each area, and priority recommendations for the British government to consider in its support to Afghanistan. 

    PDF icon Policy Position Paper - Service Delivery final version 22July15.pdf

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