//  National Convergence Initiative

Eva Benita A. Tuzon, from DAR, Philippines outlined the structure and achievements of the National Convergence Initiative which seeks to combine resources and best knowledge of three ARD related ministries (agriculture, agrarian reform and environment) as well as civil society, the private sector and media, in a quest for more aid effectiveness. The Initiative thereby seeks to avoid the common problem of having several institutions working alongside each other on the same agenda, while being subject to little coordination or cooperation.

//  Importance of local research in ARD

Howard White, Executive Director of the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation called to attention that the biggest challenge to ARD today, was to find out and collect evidence on what works and why it works. For this, he advocated local research to take a larger role – being best connected to local circumstances. White pointed out that often the best expertise rests with international actors and donor countries and suggested incentives to enable researchers from developing countries to work in their countries of origin. This would allow for more country ownership and better results.

//  Transparency in ARD

Anupama Jha, Executive Director of Transparency International, India, underlined the importance of focussing on transparency in local development programmes. Only where clear commitments have been determined in advance can results be reached reliably.

//  Planning and budgeting in ARD

Mahbub Hasan, Chief Regional Officer of the Coastal Development Partnership, Bangladesh, highlighted sound planning and budgeting in ARD as a further area that required additional attention in rural development.

//  Q&A session

The Peasant Farmer's Coalition demanded that more attention in ARD be put on allowing people who cultivate land to own this lan

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Mini-debate presentation_country ownership

//  Organizers

Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippines