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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Oliver King

What the world needs now

Remember Make Poverty History? For the millions of you who took an interest - even even if it was only to watch Bob Geldof et al on the TV - here's another chance to make a difference. Only this time it's good ideas rather than demonstrations of support that are needed.

Hilary Benn, the international development secretary, is asking Guardian Unlimited readers to respond to a new set of questions on the UK's development policy - the responses are part of a consultation process ahead of an official government response this summer.

In a speech today Mr Benn questioned whether Europe and the United States should have a stranglehold on the presidencies of the World Bank and IMF and warned that other countries would walk away from the institutions if they didn't change.

On that issue he wants to know:

* How can the international financial institutions, including the World Bank and IMF, be more responsive to the needs of their developing country clients?

* How can they improve the way they work so that they deliver better results for poor people in poor countries?

On wider reform of the international development he wants your opinion on these questions:

* What comparative advantage do the international, regional and bilateral development agencies have in delivering development assistance?

* Which agencies are most effective at helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals and how should we judge this?

* How should the UK government work with the EU over the next 5 to 10 years to pursue development objectives?

* What mechanisms could be used to better balance the international distribution of aid to ensure that under-aided countries are better aided?

* What should the UK government be doing differently within the international system to make it more effective at delivering development?

* How can the UK government help to ensure that donors and aid recipients are more accountable to each other?

Tell him what you think either directly to the department itself or post your comments below.

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