The Implications of the Global Economic Recession on Civil Society Advocacy, Aid and Policy Implementation

Comments

Recession takes time

By KaneG

Sat 13 Jun, 2009 - 08:57

This recession will take its time to recover. Meanwhile, many people are As we can observe, many industries are affected by the present global economic crisis. This situation resulted to establishments of microlenders. Kiva is a an example of a microlender, a type of finance company that does things on the small scale using a type of loans called microloans. Microloans are small loans that are given to people in order to create their own industry or business, usually cottage type industry, and for the most part a lot of microfinance goes on in countries that are stricken with rampant poverty. Venturing into the U.S., where so many can get online loans, isn't the worst of ideas since the recession has hit the finance industry very hard. Microfinance has come into it's own over the last decade, and some charitable cash advances given through Kiva is a worthy cause.

Monday, June 8, 2009 - 15:09

Share this:

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is hosting a discussion forum on the Implications of the Global Economic Recession on Civil Society Advocacy, Aid and Policy Implementation on 17 June 2009 in Johannesburg.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is delighted to facilitate a discussion of the implications of the current global economic recession on aid, policy implementation and civil society engagement with policy and policymakers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The global economic meltdown presents stark and unprecedented challenges for governments and civil society organisations in the developing and developed worlds. In 2009, developing countries are projected to lose over USD 750 billion in trade and investment revenue. More worryingly, sub-Saharan Africa is expected to be acutely affected by the current downturn - with a total projected loss of US$50 billion in revenue.

As the need to cushion the world's poorest countries from the effects of the downturn become more pronounced, developed countries are under increasing pressure to maintain current aid levels - recorded at their highest last year - or to increase development assistance. Several observers anticipate a decline in aid as developed countries increasingly focus on the resuscitation of their banking sectors as has been the case in previous banking crises. The current recession presents critical questions not only for African governments and donors operating in Africa, but also to civil society organisations which are partially or heavily dependent on donor funds.

SAIIA's discussion aims to debate strategies through which civil society can respond to these challenges, based on a new SAIIA Report entitled "Demanding Good Governance in Africa: Strategies for Effective Policy Advocacy", and outline how best donors and governments can assist.

Time: 10h30 – 12h30 PM, followed by a light lunch
RSVP: By 11 June 2009 to Bernadette Bule, bernadette.bule@wits.ac.za, tel: 011 339-2021 ext 148t.
For more information on SAIIA, click here.

Event venue:

Villa Sterne, 212 Johann Rissik Drive, Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria<br /> <br />

Event start date:

17/06/2009

Event end date:

17/06/2009