In every economic crisis, it is the poor that suffer the most. Whether it is individuals or countries, they are the most vulnerable and lack the savings and the institutions to support them during difficult times. In past crises, we have focused too late on adverse effects on poor people. Can we do it differently this time

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The global financial crisis and the high cost of food mean different things in different places. In those parts of the world where hunger is on the march, their impact can be measured in empty stomachs and blighted lives. That is why, during my recent visit to India, I traveled to a remote district called Chhatarpur in the central state of Madhya Pradesh (MP). I went there because I wanted to see for myself the plight of people in India's hunger heartland. I particularly wanted to listen to the experiences of the local women. As always in such situations, the women are the ones in the front line of the war against hunger.

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I recently came across a post by Nancy Birdsall on a new instrument promoted by the Center for Global Development, called 'Cash on Delivery' aid. In a way (Nancy, whose Center is a partner of ID4D, might wish to correct me if I am wrong, or complete if need be) it is conceptually close to 'output-based aid', except that governments rather than non-governmental actors are in charge of delivering the output, and that aid comes as a form of reward upon delivery rather than a direct payment of the costs incurred. 

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My colleagues are finalizing the preparations for a two-day brainstorming session on the future of European aid. It is a good occasion to open the floor to its participants (and beyond: as always anyone should feel free to join in!) to reflect on the way Europeans envisage their development policy: what is it for? How should we go about it? Here are a few initial thoughts.Europe is a giant of development assistance. Combining funds from member states and the Community, EU aid totaled 46 billion Euros in 2007, making it by far the largest contributor to this global endeavor. This amount equates to 93 Euros per capita, compared to 53 and 44 Euros per capita donated by the United States and Japan, respectively.

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My apologies for not writing for nearly a year. I foresaw in my last two blogs that we were entering an intensive busy period in the WTO negotiations. The talks did indeed keep me busy this year, not least before, during and after the meetings in July that were so close to a breakthrough. What none of us foresaw was all the other issues that would come up during the year, culminating in the global financial crisis.

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During the past two months we have seen Governments commit more than USD 3000 billion towards stabilizing financial markets. A further USD 2000 billion have already been announced for economic stimulus packages. Never in the history of humankind has so much money been allocated with so little preparation and strategic analyses

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Like earthquake aftershocks, the on-going repercussions of the stock market plunge triggered by the US subprime mortgage meltdown continue to shake financial and banking institutions. Governments and multilateral organisations alike are devoting all their energy and ingenuity to fighting this crisis, shelving the handling of other crises till later. However, while the financial markets panic, the food and energy crises remain and their effects, of structural origin, are likely to be exacerbated by the financial turmoil. Indeed, as a result of incoherent investment, insufficient competitiveness and trade imbalances, food and energy production no longer suffices to cater for the needs of the world's ever-increasing population.

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The debate was initiated at the European Development Days 2008 in Strasbourg and the discussion continues. Rendez-vous in Stockholm for the 2009's edition, and until then "To your keyboards"!

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Demographic growth, industrialisation and the increase of demand resulting from higher living standards is exerting growing pressure on the world's natural resources. The effects of climate change are also showing their first impacts on some of the regions of the world that are least equipped to manage them. How can these pressures be handled on the long run? What role can public policies play to tackle this rising challenge?

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Over the last 18 months or so there has been a major surge in the spread of public understanding on the subject of climate change, particularly in respect of human actions being a cause for changes in the earth's climate system. However, this increase in awareness has not yet translated into action at the global level to bring about a reduction in the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the increased concentration of which has now increasingly affected the earth's climate. The impacts of climate change are particularly harmful for some of the poorest societies on earth.

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