General Purposes

About this grant

AID/WATCH works to monitor the social and environmental impacts of the lending programs undertaken by international finance and trade institutions. It supports local affected communities in the Asia-Pacific region, works closely with other groups in the region and networks with the international non-governmental organization (NGO) community working on international finance and trade issues. Multiyear funding will enable AID/WATCH to conduct research on Australian bilateral programs in the Asia-Pacific region with a particular focus on Papua New Guinea and East Timor; inform Australian elected officials about foreign assistance and development issues; analyze World Bank and Asia Development Bank (ADB) policies and programs; monitor Australian export credit agency co-financing of projects with the ADB and World Bank; help build the capacity of NGOs in East Timor; raise public awareness of the implications of the General Agreement on Trade in Services negotiations being held at the World Trade Organization; and evaluate the impacts of free trade agreements for nations in the Asia-Pacific region.Accomplishments during the past two years included conducting public education on Australia’s bilateral foreign assistance program; preparing a briefing paper and video on the World Bank’s work in relation to the reconstruction of East Timor; providing analysis on ADB large infrastructure policies and the review of the ADB inspection panel; and monitoring projects submitted to the Australian export credit agency for financing from the Asia-Pacific region.