ODI is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.
Preparing a market stall - Abidjan, Ivory Coast  (Source: babasteve, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/babasteve/2177419735/)

The benefits of competition for the poorest countries in the world

A major new ODI study examines policy, competition and market performance. It finds that more competition, more players, more dynamic entry and exit, and more intense rivalry for customers tend to deliver better market outcomes, including lower prices, better access to services for consumers, and improved international competitiveness.

Returning to first principles – why give aid to some countries and not to others?

 

Using communications for policy influence

Street children in Mumbai gather around cars for begging	Flickr	focus2capture http://www.flickr.com/photos/focus2capture/671664724/The debate over UK development assistance to India highlights the challenges of ensuring equitable aid allocations. A blog by ODI Director, Alison Evans, investigates.   Man reads detail of budget in newspaper, India (Source: prakhar, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/prakhar/408940921/)An ODI workshop from 1 to 3 September will introduce principles and tools to communicate research to inform pro-poor policy. Space is limited, so book now.

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) looking for CEO

 

Food aid and food assistance in emergency and transitional contexts

CDKN, an alliance including ODI, is searching for a permanent CEO. The CEO will lead and manage the CDKN team in providing research, advice and knowledge management services to decision makers in developing countries.

 

Queue of people waiting to receive food and water aid in Myanmar, following Cyclone Nargis (Source: TZA, Flickr - http://flickr.com/photos/tza/)

A HPG Policy Brief and Report on food aid and assistance policies examine issues around definitions, the future of the Food Aid Convention and a new food security architecture.

The new UN gender equality architecture: from a 'shack' to a new-age building?

 

Aligning aid information with recipient country budgets

Woman fishing in Binga, Zimbabwe (Source: Alan Nicol, ODI)Nicola Jones welcomes the long-awaited UN Entity for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment -- UN Women -- on the ODI blog.

 

Numbers on a cash register (Source: Thomas Hawk, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/72778694)What are the links between donor aid and recipient budgets, and what role does aid transparency play in improving decisions and accountability? An ODI Working Paper investigates.

Overcoming social barriers to climate change adaptation

 

New analysis reveals African countries are making progress towards the MDGs

Prayer flags on top of mountain in Himilayas, Nepal (Source: Lindsey Jones, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11915209@N03/2403265380/)An ODI Background Note draws on studies in Nepal and India to cast light on the social barriers to climate change adaptation.

 

Happy Mexican Children Chiapas Mexico (Source: Alamy Images)A new report by ODI and the UN Millennium Campaign reveals African countries top list of 20 countries making the most progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

The European development agenda

 

The G-20 summit in Toronto: what does it mean for development?

European flags flying in front of the Berlaymont (Source: TPCOM, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tpcom/3246111473/)Two new blog posts consider the compromise deal on the European External Action Service, and the response of EU development ministers to the European Commission's Spring Package.

  G20 leaders in Toronto (Source: Presidencia de la Nación Argentina, Wikimedia commons - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:G-20-2.jpg)What did the Toronto G-20 achieve in terms of development? This blog post by Dirk Willem te Velde sets out the highlights, including the creation of a Working Group on Development.