Why the G8 should open its books
Opinion
by Karin Christiansen of Publish What You Fund and Craig Fagan, Senior Policy Coordinator, Transparency International in The Guardian (United Kingdom) – 19 May 2011
The controversy over the leaked G8 report measuring progress against 2005 aid commitments demonstrates yet again the need for greater aid transparency.
The numbers used by the G8 to measure spending on development do not match other assessments, including those by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Aid campaigners such as Oxfam have suggested the G8 is trying to hide its failure to stick to commitments.
Lack of aid transparency means we are wasting time and energy arguing about what has and hasn't happened. Energy that should be spent on the shared goal of getting the most out of aid in the fight against poverty and social injustice.
