Mission

Sharing Experiences and Promoting Learning about Growth and Poverty Reduction in China and African Countries

Among the multiple challenges the world currently faces, reducing poverty in developing countries remains an urgent task. But the context for addressing this Challenge continues to evolve. Many developing countries, notably China and India, no longer give an impression of mass underdevelopment and offer new models for development. Although significant variations occur, there has been a marked improvement in governance and economic fundamentals in many African countries and progress has been made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, even if the recent food, fuel and financial crises have set progress back. The international aid architecture has become more complex, with a wider range of actors involved   including new donor countries and many private foundations   and a greater variety of approaches are being pursued. In addition, through the rapid spread of information technology and globalisation, the environment is more propitious for people around the world to learn about development and help respond to the poverty reduction Challenge.

This evolving context presents Chinese authorities, African countries and the international donor community with an opportunity to promote greater mutual learning about how to address some of today's major development cHallenges. What have been the main experiences and lessons learnt during China's recent period of growth and poverty reduction? How have international donors contributed to this process? What conditions need to be in place for China's experience to be replicable in other developing countries, especially in Africa where needs remain great? What has been the impact on reducing poverty of China's expanding economic engagement in Africa? How can this co operation be a vehicle for China to transfer lessons from its own development experience? What lessons from members of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) should China draw on when developing its aid programmes in Africa?

The China DAC Study Group has been established to provide such an international platform for synthesising available knowledge and exchanging experiences. In doing so, the Study Group aims to help improve the impact and effectiveness of aid and, through improved mutual understanding, provide a favourable basis for possible future trilateral activities among China, the international development community and other developing countries to promote growth and reduce poverty. The ultimate aim is to reach a position where Africa no longer needs aid......