Election Fever

….is hotting up in Juba. I hear a campaign truck with music and drums go past my office window about 3 times a day.

There is also apparently some kind if cutesy little poll in someplace called the, er, United.. Kingdom..?

So the ONE campaign is running a petition to the party leaders to get them to go “On the Record” about their plans for fighting extreme poverty. Seems like an eminently sensible idea to me. And I’m also impressed by the “beyond aid” range of questions.

Here they are:

1. Global leadership
With the UN’s September Summit focusing on extreme poverty and the Millennium Development Goals, there is a historic opportunity for progress. How will you make the most of this opportunity?

2. The UK’s promise
If elected, what would you do to ensure the UK delivers on its commitment to give 0.7% of Gross National Income as development assistance?

3. Climate and development
What would you do to secure a global climate deal that helps people living in poverty and would you ensure that climate funding is additional to current and promised aid flows?

4. Improving aid
UK development assistance is well respected, but are there ways in which you would increase its effectiveness?

5. Security and development
What is your position on using development funding for security operations?

6. Investment in Africa
How would you ensure private sector investment in Africa helps to reduce poverty?