The Aid Debate The Aid Debate explored the complexities of foreign aid. The common belief is that aid is beneficial, and indeed it has been responsible for substantial global development. However, the facts are often not so straightforward. While some argue that aid must be at the top of the global agenda, supported at all costs, others are quick to remind us that it can also help keep authoritarian regimes in power and impede true development. Still others believe that the current system in place is faulty and must be reexamined, that blindly financing humanitarian causes is simply not enough.

Moderated by:

Craig Johnstone is UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. In his presentation at the 2009 Oslo Freedom Forum, he discusses his role and responsibility in keeping the hope for freedom alive amongst the world's 32 million refugees.


Panelists:

George Ayittey is a Ghanaian economist known for his argument that “Africa is poor because she is not free." He asserts that corruption of autocrats and complacency of citizens are the bedrock problems of many African states. Dr. Ayittey calls for democratic government, debt reexamination, modernized infrastructure, free market economics, and free trade to promote development. He founded the Free Africa Foundation in 1993, to serve as a catalyst for reform, and was named one of Foreign Policy’s “Top 100 Public Intellectuals" in 2008, and "Top 100 Global Thinkers" in 2009.


Philippe Douste-Blazy is a French physician, politician, and former Minister of Culture and Foreign Minister of France. He serves as the chairman of the Executive Board of UNITAID, the international drug purchase facility hosted by the World Health Organization. In 2008, Douste-Blazy was appointed as Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Innovative Financing for Development. Douste-Blazy is also responsible for organizing the first World Conference of Non-Governmental Donors, which seeks to raise funds to facilitate the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

Jan Egeland is a Norwegian politician and humanitarian, referred to by Time Magazine as “the world’s conscience." He has held numerous high positions with the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and was the UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator from 2003 to 2006. His humanitarian efforts have focused attention on the world’s most overlooked conflicts and have pressured governments to provide adequate relief aid after countless natural disasters. He is known for his participation in peace processes and has published a number of reports, studies, and articles on conflict resolution, humanitarian affairs, and human rights.

Zoya Phan is a Burmese human rights activist and author. Since fleeing Than Shwe’s army and claiming asylum as a refugee in the United Kingdom, she has worked to expose the junta’s barbarism. After being selected at random to appear on the BBC, she has given countless interviews and commentary on the situation in Burma, and has become the face of a nation enslaved. Recently named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Phan has created a foundation that promotes education, human rights, and the culture of the Karen ethnic minority in Burma.