The Project
The Council is launching a new project bringing together academics and practitioners from different countries and disciplines to examine factors influencing the success or failure of international development aid, both aid provided by governments and IGOs, as well as aid provided by private foundations and private enterprise. In many ways, this project complements the research of our Investment Law Group. However, the focus here is on non-commercial activity.
​
The point of departure is a case study of Kosovo. This small country in South-Eastern Europe has received more aid per capita than any other country or region in the World. Yet the results are decidedly modest.
​
After a deep and multi-faceted analysis of the situation in Kosovo, the projects that have been supported, and the results that were or were not obtained, we plan to venture out and include case studies of other countries and regions to verify that findings about Kosovo are transferable and, therefore, of broader significance.
​
The Mission
Every year, more than US$150 billion in ODA is going to developing countries. According to various studies, private aid may actually surpass these numbers on a regular basis. However, over the last 75 years, the lives of the large majority of people in these countries have not improved much, if at all.
​
It is our goal to share our joint and individual experience, knowledge, and creativity, to make a difference, to make sure that the next 25 years will make up for lost time and lost opportunities.
The Vision
Anticipated outcomes of our work include a textbook for academic use, a variety of in-depth studies for publication in academic journals and reviews, as well as webinars and other forms of digital dissemination.
​
Most importantly, we want to empower those who are in leadership positions today and those who prepare the future leaders of the developing world to ask for more effective aid, and to make better choices for the common good, defined as the greatest possible benefit to the largest possible share of the population, without eating our children's lunch today.
To this end, our research will be accessible free of charge and open to all.
