Foreign aid compromises 'sovereign state' doctrine

 Posted on November 20, 2020 by The Zimbabwe Independent in Main News 

 OCTOBER 24 marked 50 years since rich countries pledged at the United Nations (UN) to dedicate 0,7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) to the development of the Global South. This has not been met by a number of donor countries with an exception of Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK). The rest of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries have committed 0,31% of their GNI to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Looking at the current situation, Covid-19 has resulted in a major setback for global development where poverty levels and inequality are rising. Business reporter Melody Chikono (MC) this week spoke to National Association Youth Organisations  executive director Misheck Gondo (MG) to understand how failure by advanced economies to keep their promises has impacted Zimbabwe and other African economies. Below are the excerpts of the interview:

MC: There have been arguments that bilateral aid has made African economies poorer. What is your comment?

MG: Any relationship between and among countries must be based on mutual co-operation. One of the tenets for Effective Development Co-operation (EDC) is inclusive partnerships. Co-operation must address the interest of both parties in the agreement.

Bilateral aid is not a significant factor in making countries in Africa poorer. Africa has its can of worms outside of aid problems, a critical array of issues are at the epicentre of Africa’s slow pace in economic growth. These include corruption, human rights violations and inefficient utilisation of domestic resources among others.

 Aid has also been abused or redirected to unintended uses. Resources meant for health or education are being redirected towards strengthening the security sector. Some African leaders have been entering into bilateral aid agreements without the consent of their people through established mechanisms such as Parliaments. Lack of transparency has contributed to the attraction of “Bad Aid”; that resulted in Africa losing more of its natural resources through exchange with aid.

Apart from (this), bilateral aid has not been effectively working in Africa because it comes with many strings tied to it, mostly serving the interests of donor countries. US$24 billion of development aid has been estimated to have found its way back to donor countries, instead of benefiting Africa.

MC: How has Zimbabwe and Africa benefited from aid?

MG: Zimbabwe has been a recipient of both bilateral and multilateral aid since 1980. It is important to note that about seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa fund their social protection programmes through international aid. The aid has been directed towards education, health, infrastructure development, water and sanitation, private sector, climate finance, democracy and good governance among other sectors.

A good example is in the health sector. In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted the goal of poliomyelitis eradication by the year 2000. More aid was channelled to Africa, including Zimbabwe.

In 1999, Zimbabwe was declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The positive impact of aid is also felt in other sectors such as education, in particular girls’ education and academic freedoms.

 Aid has helped in times of humanitarian crises such as times of hunger, natural disasters such as cyclones. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has seen more aid flow to Africa to complement domestic efforts by governments.

MC: Who have been the main providers of ODA in Africa?

MG: The main providers of ODA in the past 50 years are the high-income countries, most of whom committed 50 years ago to the spending of 0,7% of their GNI to low and middle-income countries.

In 1970, rich countries committed to sharing their incomes for the development of the global South.

In the 1970s, Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway reached the 0,7% target. In 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit, the high-income countries recommitted to the target of aid to poor countries.

In 2000, after the adoption of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Luxembourg reached the 0,7% target. In 2005, the UK hosted the G8 Summit, at which debt cancellation and mobilisation of billions of dollars for aid were agreed upon. In 2013 the UK reached the 0,7% goal.

In the past 50 years, aid has been also channelled through multilateral institutions such as the European Commission, UN, World Bank, Africa Development Bank, IMF and countries like the United States of America, Japan, France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Australia and others. The OECD, always ranks the top ODA countries.

 MC: Who are the main beneficiaries of ODA in developing countries?

 MG: The following 10 countries have been the highest recipients of ODA: Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, DRC, Morocco, Uganda, South Sudan and Mozambique. These countries hosted 46% of ODA and other recipients hosted 56%. Most African countries are eligible members of the ODA, including Zimbabwe.

MC: What have been the challenges associated with ODA accountability in sub-Saharan Africa and Zimbabwe in particular?

MG: ODA has created a dependency syndrome, including in Zimbabwe. Most countries in Africa have vast natural resources but the vastness cannot be linked to economic development, growth, or the general-good living conditions of the people.

Lack of accountability in managing ODA remains a worrying phenomenon, with people excluded from accessing the information on agreements or the deals by the governments.

In Zimbabwe, Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2 is seeking to remove the role played by parliament in international agreements. (It is) a sad development if it passes through. This will mean more debt burden or aid agreements that have a dire negative result on the citizens.

MC: To what extent has aid been tied/untied?

MG: Aid has largely been tied. Every country’s foreign policy is aimed at benefiting its national interests, and largely its people. In doing so, high-income countries and multilateral institutions place conditions on low-income countries as aid requirements.

Aid is projected to mainly benefit the donor countries, as the resources find their way back. Some conditions placed by international institutions are based on experimentalism type of economics, such as the case of the Zimbabwe Economic Structural Adjustment Programme.

In 2012, the UK pledged to spend about 88 million pounds per year until 2015, the areas of support were to help to prepare the ground for a credible election, creating more economic opportunities for the people of Zimbabwe, improving girls education, creating new jobs, improving maternal and child health and water and sanitation.

As good as it looks, the aid was tied to the expectation that there will be a transition. The UK government noted that if a political transition takes place during the period, they will scale up the development programme to help a reforming government.

The whole aid matrix between Zimbabwe and the UK clearly shows how that aid was tied and compromises the doctrine of sovereign states. The role of reforms must be centred on the citizens of that country, not a foreign power. The same can be pointed to the unequal relationship between Zimbabwe and China when it comes to ODA.

MC: Can you say aid/ODA has been demand-driven?

MG: The new development co-operation trajectory has set a pace towards new principles that calls for both high-income countries and low-income countries to cooperate based on the actual needs of their people. Even though nations are struggling to shoot-out of their egocentric interest in aid, the new development co-operation framework has seen many countries, with their development challenges such as communicable diseases, humanitarian needs and basic social services being financed from aid. This is a testimony that the landscape has been speedily shifting towards mutual co-operation that is demand-driven. Foreign funding is coming in to respond to the needs of the governments. Other donors are not yet flexible to adapt to the needs of the aid recipients.

MC: What role should ODA/aid play to be an effective resource for supporting development?

MG: The new development co-operation landscape has called for mutual co-operation. The new development co-operation frameworks call for a results-focused approach. Countries must utilise resources on areas that bring economic growth and eradicate poverty, tied to accountability and transparency. The efficient utilisation of domestic resources must be emphasised, with zero tolerance to corruption and the curbing of illicit financial flows.

MC: At a time when the world is facing one of its worst pandemics in a generation how do you envision the future of international aid?

MG: The advent of coronavirus has shifted both global politics and global economics. The high-income countries have at the present been affected by the virus more than low-income countries. This has a negative bearing on the 0,7% commitment to aid towards low-income countries.

MC: What development co-operation challenges have recipient countries faced?

MG: The Istanbul Principles for CSOs development effectiveness has brought the CSOs as an important development actor in the work of government, of which most African governments are hesitant to embrace this new normal.

The other challenge has been reduced aid flow, as some high-income countries are facing pressing domestic challenges that need an urgent resource solution.

 Follow original article at:  https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2020/11/20/foreign-aid-compromises-sovereign-state-doctrine/

 For feedback contact: gondo.gism@gmail.com 

The Question of Penance in the Time of COVID-19, Answered!

Penance according to the Catholic dogma is one of the seven sacred Sacraments, commonly known by faithful as Confession or Sacrament of Reconciliation which people of God are absolved from their sins. The Church teaches us that the Sacrament heals, and indeed it gives spiritual healing, it is a spiritual engine to atone for our sins. As noted by Victoria M. Tufano, a Pastoral Associate and Director of Liturgy at Ascension Catholic Church Oak Park, Illinois, “Confession is a gift, a means of grace, a way to God, and a way back to God.”

The act of confession is sacrosanct; because it allows us as Catholics and Christians to stay close to God and regain the grace of God, lost by sin. Priests as Christ ‘s successors and representatives were given the power to administer and pass on that forgiveness. It is very important to note that, it is not the Priest who forgives sins, but God himself. The Priests are instruments ordained by God to shepherd the people.

Catholics are obliged to go for confession at least once a year, preferably during the Easter Season, let us take note of the word, 'at least' not 'at most', which means, we can go to confession several times a year to ask God to forgive our sins. Let us draw-down to the crux of the matter, the question of Confession during the COVID-19 lock-down, due to the world health pandemic, people cannot be able to meet with the Priests, especially this Lenten period (Lent) and Easter, time to reconcile with Christ.  What does the Church say about confession in such times? Are there other ways one can confess, for example, online confession or through phoning the Priest?

Do Catholics do confession online or using a phone? Absolutely no, Confession needs to be done in person with a Priest. Does it mean, we are hopeless now in the time of Coronavirus when we can not meet the Priest?  Absolutely no, we are not hopeless, the Lord is there to listen to us and forgive us. Below, I will take you through what Holy Father Pope Francis and what the Church states in the difficult times like this, concerning penance.

As the lock-down prevents many Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Pope Francis has encouraged all to ask for forgiveness from God, directly. Pope said on March 20, 2020, during his live-streamed morning Mass, “This is the right time, the opportune moment. An Act of Contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the snow. Return to your Father who is waiting for you. The God of tenderness will heal us; he will heal us of the many, many wounds of life and the many ugly things we have done. Each of us has our own!” 

As noted in the Article by the Dioceses of East Anglia (March 25, 2020), Pope Francis, in his homily, pointed people to the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. “It is very clear,” said the Pope. “If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your Father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart.”

Make an act of contrition (prayer to express sorrow for sins) the Pope said, and promise God, "' I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.' And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God."

As supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, (N. 1452), it says: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’- contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. “As the catechism outlines, “you can draw near to God’s forgiveness without having a priest at hand.”

Fr. Simon Davies from St John’s Cathedral in Norwich, noted that when self-isolating, one could make a 'perfect act of contrition', that is, an expression of real sorrow and that prayer would be received by God just as much as a prayer which they might say during confession.

He added, "If that person sadly died before they could see a priest in confession, that offering is as graciously received as if the person had gone to confession," Fr. Simon added that if the person remained well or recovered from a bout of illness, they would still need to go to confession once the crisis is over.

My fellow Christian Community, we have seen that the love of God is bountiful, is not measurable, the Lord is always there for us to forgive and walk with us and within us. He is omnipresent, omniscience and omnipotent, ever-loving Father; even in the times we call a crisis, He is there to comfort us. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).

Article by Misheck Gondo. Misheck Gondo is a Catholic Catechist in Zimbabwe, Author of Chastity the Way to Go and The Terrible Heart Break, Researcher and a Blogger. He writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted at gondo.gism@gmail.com

 

REFERENCE:
Aldred Willey: (Article: Dioceses of East Anglia)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Victoria M. Tufano, (Pastoral Associate and Director of Liturgy at Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois)

Spiritual Communion in the Face of Covid-19

The world is currently in a deep-doldrum following the announcement of a terrible respiratory disease-Covid-19 caused by a virus called corona-virus. The infectious disease causes respiratory illness, like the flu, with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty in breathing. It is a fact, even those saved by the blood of Jesus are encouraged to follow World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to protect themselves from the virus at the same time asking God- Almighty for an immediate answer. Many are still grappling, including the Christian Community across the world, on why God has abandoned his people. The cumbersomeness of the disease has sent a wave of fear, stress, helplessness, economic and political instability; given that there has not been registered success to find the medical formula for its cure. 

The Lenten period (Lent) reminds us of how God will not abandon his people; in whatever situation, our Lord is above board. The suffering on the Cross is enough evidence for every believer that, the: fear, stress, helplessness among others have been dealt with at the Cross. In times of difficulties, we are called to put our faith in Jesus and look up to him for solutions. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you”. Psalms also emphasize how God will not abandon his children. He is God of justice, what he requires from us, is faith, and more to this Lenten period; Prayer and helping others who are in need. (The Lord will not abandon his people; he will not desert those who belong to him -Psalms: 94:14-23).  As cited in Catechesis of Divine Mercy, God is merciful. He is Love poured out for us, and He wants all of us to turn to Him with trust in repentance and conversation while there is still time.

In the face of Covid-19, where we are faced with many restrictions, in other cases not able to receive the Body of Christ, Spiritual Communion will fill our void and unite us with Christ. Spiritual Communion is a Christian practice of desiring union with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. It is used as a preparation for Holy Mass and by individuals who cannot receive Holy Communion. As noted by one Catholic Writer, “The great desire of Jesus to unite with us is infinite and omnipotent: it has no other barrier than our liberty. Jesus has multiplied the miracles to give Himself to us in the Eucharist.”

The Catechism of the Council of Trent which is the compendium of the Roman doctrine, states that “It is necessary that the pastors of souls teach that there is not only one way of receiving the admirable fruits of the Sacrament of Eucharist, but two: Sacramental Communion and Spiritual Communion.” The latter is not very well known, and it is practiced by a very few faithful, nonetheless it is an incomparable and special myriad and fountain of graces. As noted by the history of faith, countless souls have attained a high degree of perfection through it.

Saint Teresa of Avila noted that “When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a Spiritual Communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it, the love of God will be greatly impressed on you."

Our Lord said to Saint Matilda: “Every time your heart desires Me, you attract Me into you. A desire or a longing is enough to make Me yours.” He said to Saint Margaret of Alacoque: “My daughter, your desire has pierced My Heart so deeply that if I had not already instituted this Sacrament, I would do so now to become your food.” Our Lord also requested Saint Margaret of Cortona to remind a religious the words of Saint Augustine, “Believe and you have eaten already”; that is, make an act of Faith and desire towards the Eucharist, and you will be fed by this divine food.

Below is An Act of Spiritual Communion with the Prayer of St Alphonsus Maria of Liguori:

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.

(Pause in Silence for Adoration)

 I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Article by Misheck Gondo:  Misheck Gondo is a Catholic Catechist, Researcher, Writer and Blogger who writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted at gondo.gism@gmail.com  

Acknowledgments:

Catechesis of Divine Mercy (Rev. Francis X.McGerty)

Catholicity Blog.com