Overseas Development Institute (ODI) - The UK's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues

What if three quarters of the world's poor live (and have always lived) in low aid countries?

Should rich countries focus on aid as the key tool to help end poverty? This ODI Background Note presents data that challenges the conventional development narrative of reduced aid dependency over time. The result? Some surprising findings that indicate the necessity of further research on the role and purpose of aid.

Confront scarcity now or pay later

Mobile banking for catalysing diaspora investment

The European Report on Development (ERD) considers water, energy and land management. Dirk Willem te Velde argues that we 'need to avoid policy making in silos and stimulate integrated thinking'.

Does mobile banking offer a 'leapfrogging development opportunity' for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries? Christian Kingombe on recent initiatives and how to support them.

What would a happy marriage between Brazil and Africa look like?

Hands on or hands off for budget support?

Though good news in general, Lidia Cabral outlines remaining myths and challenges underlying the glitter of the Brazil-Africa honeymoon.

Heidi Tavakoli reviews an Independent Commission for Aid Impact evaluation, finding it points in one direction: a ‘more hands-on approach’ for budget support.

Afghanistan’s long war: the consequences of drawdown

Understanding poverty and wellbeing

As NATO troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan, Ashley Jackson reflects on the humanitarian consequences of the drawdown for the Afghan people.

An article by ODI Director of Research, Andrew Norton, introduces a paper developed by a group of senior academics on the meaning and measurement of poverty.

Post2015.org – what comes after the Millennium Development Goals?

The politics of EU budget support

Tracking the post-2015 agenda is becoming increasingly difficult. The new post-2015.org website and @post2015 Twitter account bring together key news, events and research on the emerging agenda.

Reflecting on the EC Communication and Council Conclusions on the future of EU budget support, this paper explores the implications of this new approach.

ODI on... 2012 climate change conferences in Bonn

‘Change Readiness Index’ provides new insight into countries’ ability to respond to change

Researchers for ODI will be focusing on climate finance and drivers of deforestation at this year's UNFCCC climate change conference.

This forward looking index captures government capability and the capability of a country to manage and respond to change. See also The Guardian and Simon Maxwell's analysis.

Separated at birth, reunited in Rio?

Tackling exposure to disaster

Despite significant overlaps between climate change and development they are rarely linked through policy. This Background Note suggests how Rio+20 could start to bridge this gap.

As disasters increase in frequency, CDKN releases a paper for decision-makers on the role of economic and fiscal policy and development planning in disaster risk management.

Inequality won't take care of itself

Justice in Sierra Leone: delivering on different levels

Inequality in middle-income Latin America is highlighted in a new Christian Aid report. Lessons must be learned, says Alina Rocha Menocal, in particular by countries in the Arab Spring.

Following the Charles Taylor verdict, Lisa Denney argues that the influence of this case will be outlived by informal security and justice providers, as outlined in a related Briefing Paper.

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