A good start for capacity development?

The case for bringing capacity development up front and centre received a real boost this first day of Busan.

Three sessions paid explicit attention to the challenges of CD and of is pivotal role in promoting aid and development effectiveness. The bottom line, as was highlighted in a thematic session on CD, capacity is key to sustainable development results. And as one speaker suggested, if Accra succeeded in finding ways to better manage the flow of money for development, then the opportunity for Busan is to commit the global community to finding appropriate and effective ways to deliver CD support behind country visions and strategies.

A special session sponsored by the African Governance Initiative emphasised the critical need for implementation capacities. On the African continent a new wave of leadership is creating the conditions to align external support for CD behind country agendas and leadership. This includes strengthening and working through country systems, though this was noted in various sessions as remaining an aspect of the AE agenda that remains a serious stumbling block.

The days of seeing CD limited to training are over – there is indeed broad recognition that CD is about promoting societal change; creating performing and accountable states and an engaged citizenship. A final session on development effectiveness in Africa further emphasised the central place of capacity development in unleashing the growth potentials of the continent. It is for African countries to define the characteristics of a capable and effective state, and on that basis, to seek international assistance. At the same time, the growing opportunities for drawing on locally based solutions and south-south cooperation was underlined. Sounds good but how far will these ideas find their way into the final Busan outcome statement?

A special session sponsored by the African Governance Initiative emphasised the critical need for implementation capacities. On the African continent a new wave of leadership is creating the conditions to align external support for CD behind country agendas and leadership. This includes strengthening and working through country systems, though this was noted in various sessions as remaining an aspect of the AE agenda that remains a serious stumbling block.

The days of seeing CD limited to training are over – there is indeed broad recognition that CD is about promoting societal change; creating performing and accountable states and an engaged citizenship. A final session on development effectiveness in Africa further emphasised the central place of capacity development in unleashing the growth potentials of the continent. It is for African countries to define the characteristics of a capable and effective state, and on that basis, to seek international assistance. At the same time, the growing opportunities for drawing on locally based solutions and south-south cooperation was underlined. Sounds good but how far will these ideas find their way into the final Busan outcome statement?

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