Presenter(s):
Jolene Skordis, Age International – Institute for Global Health, University College London, United Kingdom
Cherian Mathews, HelpAge International, United Kingdom
Alison Marshall, Age International, United Kingdom
TBC Conference participant
Structured as a formal debate:
“This House believes significant reductions in aid will benefit older people globally in the longer term”.
First set out the format for the debate and the motion. Two teams of three experts will put forward arguments for, and against. We will open the floor for contributions, counter-arguments and questions. After a chaired discussion, the teams will give closing responses. Then we vote on the motion. Audience participation makes this an attractive format.
Context:
Some see civil society as reactive or in need of resilience building, others see this as an opportunity to reimagine the civil society ecosystem, rebalance power, promote the locally-led agenda and adapt by envisioning alternative funding models, building solidarity and enhancing subsidiarity.
Against:
Moral, self-interested and practical arguments against cutting aid including the humanitarian imperative to help people who are suffering, while recognising that in international law, people affected by disasters have a right to assistance, and the international community has a duty to respond. Aid is an investment in global stability, security and shared prosperity which benefits everyone.
Cuts to aid negatively impact on older people by reducing access to essential services like healthcare, social care, and food security, leading to increased health risks, isolation, and a decline in quality of life.
For:
The cuts discourse about Africa has largely been “a return to the old narrative of the hopeless continent that is incapable of taking care of itself without the help of good-natured westerners.” But it should be recognised that Africa is a net creditor to the world and donor countries earned US$7-US$8 for every dollar of aid.
Some aid recipient governments have argued that ending dependence on foreign donors could not only lead to prosperity, but also to “self-respect”…
While acknowledging the negative impact on those dependent on aid, some African organisations have argued the cuts will be beneficial, as they will mean national governments will become more accountable to their electorate for provision of services, suggesting that aid has hindered democratic processes. There is the potential for increased fiscal independence, although the debt burden will create challenges.
Aid recipients are looking at ways to increase domestic revenues. Boosting trade and private investment will be an important.
These macro-economic shifts will have indirect impacts on older people, but with their experience and resilience, older people will help lead their countries into a more independent future.
Bio(s):
Lorem Ipsum es simplemente el texto de relleno de las imprentas y archivos de texto. Lorem Ipsum ha sido el texto de relleno estándar de las industrias desde el año 1500, cuando un impresor (N. del T. persona que se dedica a la imprenta) desconocido usó una galería de textos y los mezcló de tal manera que logró hacer un libro de textos especimen. No sólo sobrevivió 500 años, sino que tambien ingresó como texto de relleno en documentos electrónicos, quedando esencialmente igual al original. Fue popularizado en los 60s con la creación de las hojas “Letraset”, las cuales contenian pasajes de Lorem Ipsum, y más recientemente con software de autoedición, como por ejemplo Aldus PageMaker, el cual incluye versiones de Lorem Ipsum.
