Member Learning Winter 2011, Wk 8

1. Member Learning Winter 2011, Wk 8 Agenda [3 minutes] Pre-survey on the IATI [5 minutes] ACT, the “Not” Scandal, and CIDA [15 minutes] What is the IATI and why should Canada join? [20 minutes] Speed Dating – becoming IATI experts! [10 minutes] Sharing and discussion [5 minutes] How to take action [2 minutes] Post-survey on IATI

2. What is the issue?

3. Canadian International Development Agency Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation; head of CIDA

4. The “Not” Scandal – a symptom of something greater “The bizarre scratched-in “not” on Bev Oda’s decision is, one way or another, the byproduct of Canada’s secret aid society. The workings of the Canadian International Development Agency, which distributes about $4-billion in development aid, are unnecessarily obscure. And for years, aid organizations have complained that Ms. Oda’s office is a black box where decisions go to sit for months in silence, and eventually emerge without explanation.”

5. EWBers ask Canada for Transparency • “CIDA has taken a proactive approach to transparency. I would encourage you to consult the Project Browser tool (http://les.acdi-cida.gc.ca/project-browser). Although not yet exhaustive, Project Browser is the most complete source of information about CIDA projects.” – MP Ted Menzies “Searching the CIDA project browser website for information about Canadian aid investments reveals how little information is available. For instance, in the past five years, CIDA has funded Engineers Without Borders to the tune of $2,629,000; yet, a quick search on the CIDA website accounts for only $133,835. Additionally, the information listed is wholly inadequate, providing only the most basic details while leaving out any evidence that would reveal the impact and cost-effectiveness of these investments.” – James Haga, March 3/2011

6. International AidTransparency Initiative (IATI) Implementing IATI – Practical proposalsBy the aidinfo team at Development Initiatives January 2010 www.aidtransparency.net

7. International Aid Transparency Initiative Donorwebsite Donorwebsite Donorwebsite • 2008: UNDP hosted international meeting Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana • Donors and recipients established: too much paperwork and overlap in aid 45 Donorwebsites 45 Donorwebsites Donor budgetsand accounts DAC CRS • Aid recipient government’s must respond to different reporting standards from upwards of 50 donors AIDA, PLAID, TRAID, Donor Atlas, etc FTS Journalists & Researchers AIMS • Donors must prepare material for their own systems (DAC), Aid Management Systems (AIMS) and to fulfill requests for information Sectoralworking groups Line Ministries 30 Embassy orDelegation websites • user has to check 20+ websites for information

8. Existing Systems Development Assistance Committee (DAC) established a Creditor Reporting System (CRS) Aid Information Management System (AIMS)

9. The worst of all possible worlds – requiring a collective solution IATI is the process for finding a comprehensive solution to this problem NOT about introducing another reporting system or another database. It is attempting to get donor information published in a way that enables access by users to information to a common standard and in a common format.

10. Publish once, use often IATI proposes that donors will publish data once to a common standard in a common format that is easily available and can be used by many different systems. Current initiatives mean much of the common standard exists now. It doesn’t matter where the information is published because there will be an IATI registry that acts as an index

11. IATI: a common standard for aid information • IATI will support and and value to existing systems like the DAC and AIMS, not undermine or duplicate them; • IATI will NOT create a new mega-database – instead, it will develop a four-part standard for publishing aid information, consisting of: 1) agreement on what will be published; 2) common definitions for sharing information ; 3) a common electronic data format; 4) a code of conduct. If the information is standardised (items 2 and 3 above) it can be ‘published’ in any document and on any website and still be accessible and useable. • The underlying principle is publish once, use many times www.aidtransparency.net

12. Ten desirable characteristics of IATI • Meet the information needs of developing country government AIMS and national budgets, with local definitions; • Develop common definitions and reporting processes, avoiding parallel reporting; • Easily accessible info for governments & parliamentarians, civil society, the media and citizens • Provide accurate, high quality and meaningful information (not statistics); • Include information from non-DAC donors, multilaterals, foundations and NGOs; • Be easy to understand, reconcile, compare, read alongside other information sources; • Be legally open, with as few barriers to access and reuse as possible; • Reduce duplicate reporting by donor agencies and minimise additional costs; • Be electronically accessible in an open format; • Result in access to information about aid which is more timely, more detailed, more forward looking and more comprehensive www.aidtransparency.net

13. What does this mean at country level? What • Reduced administrative burden • IATI data could be translated directly into the current format used in country so no changes will be necessary, or • Automatic data transfer is being piloted and tested – in future, partner countries could potentially collect data automatically for AIMS with minimal systems changes if they wish to do so; • Countries would not have to change their AIMS or budget classifications. • Access to more, better, consistent, timely data • Access to same data across Government, parliamentarians, CSOs & Citizens • AIMS can also add value to IATI by feeding information back to the IATI registry www.aidtransparency.net

14. How the data might look to a user

15. What IATI will do • IATI will support and add value to existing systems like the DAC and AIMS, not undermine or duplicate them; • Develop a four-part standard for publishing aid information; • Partner countries will have access to more up-to-date information on current and future aid allocations; • Parliamentarians and CSOs will benefit from increased access to more detailed and timely data to demand accountability; • Donors will publish their aid information once, rather than respond to many requests; • Information intermediaries will be able to collect data automatically and offer a wider range of tailor-made services. www.aidtransparency.net

16. What IATI will NOT do • Duplicate the work of the CRS – which is designed for a specific purpose • Create a parallel set of definitions and classifications - this work will only take place where no existing classifications exist • Design a new database – one database cannot meet all needs • Push a one-size-fits-all approach onto donors or partner countries – • information published will be tailored to country circumstances • Strengthen partner country transparency – this is important work, but is taking place elsewhere www.aidtransparency.net

17. Publish once, use often

18. Why should Canada Join? • (1) Showcase Canada as a leader that takes real steps to solving problems. While the IATI is still in the planning stages, becoming a signatory shows commitment. Other leading ODA programs have already signed on. • (2) Good value for money – reduced transaction times and costs, improved efficiency • (3) More accurate, timely and accessible information will hopefully lead to more effective use of Official Development Assistance

19. Soak it in... Clarifying Questions? Spiel!

20. Speed Dating time

21. Discussion time

22. The End • Check MyEWB for follow-up and opportunities and deeper learning • Gordon has kept track of your questions, look out for answers and the opportunity to ask more at the James Haga Q&A • Sign-up to volunteer at next week’s event • Write a letter to your MP • Share your ideas with others! • Feedback & FILL OUT THE POST-SURVEY on IATI