On the 6th of January, United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton spoke at the Centre for Global Development in Washington in a speech that served to introduce the changing idea of development as the world move into the second decade of the 21st century.  Reviews of the USA's global development policy and development in general are currently being carried out by the White House and USAID. Nevertheless, the Secretary of State previewed a few ways in which American aid delivery is going to be revolutionized.  Changes outlined included a shift in thinking as the USA moves from "patronage" to "partnership". Mutual accountability, ownership and coordination will be playing a larger role in aid delivery as the USA aims to make "strategic investments" in order to break the dependence of developing countries on foreign aid. There will also be a shift to sectors as USAID aid aims to increase aid effectiveness.

To read Hillary Clinton's speech in its entirety and see in what other ways USAID plans to increase aid effectiveness, go here.

In December 2009, the EU showed its inadequacy as an international player to the world. Firstly, at the Copenhagen Climate Conference, the EU gave its power away to the USA, which stroke a deal with China, India, South Africa and Ethiopia. By preferring a deal with the US above the EU's original target, taking along developing countries (the G77) in the climate deals, the EU failed amazingly to support the G77. Secondly, Eritrea was sanctioned by the UN Security Council and its EU Members. Yet, in 2009 the EU initialed a €120 million for the next three years to this country, which the Human Rights Watch refers to as an ‘open-air prison'.

Furthermore, the Lisbon Treaty also entered into force in December 2009. When looking at the extended responsibilities of Andris Pieblags (new Development Commissioner) and the appointment of a foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the internal EU inconsistency could be solved by a new structure established by the Lisbon Treaty. This structure could lead to more coherent EU foreign and development policies establishing a strong alliance with developing countries. But are such hopes too high by the start of the New Year, the Lisbon Treaty and a new EU Commission?

On the 23rd of December 2009, the UN Security Council reached an agreement on a resolution imposing sanctions against Eritrea, for illegal supply of arms to insurgents in Somalia. The sanction was based on a draft resolution circulated to Council members by Uganda in November. The passing of the resolution with 13 votes for, one abstention and one vote rejecting, is a testament to the extensive bilateral consultations that must have taken place in the months leading to the event. It is also a sign of how the international community finally gave up on feeding sacks-full of carrots to a confirmed cannibal of a regime. And so far the response from the government of Eritrea can only be called nonchalant, true to its nature. President Isaias casually threatened the international community against the action few weeks ago and since then a succession of Eritrean officials and self ascribed spokes people have simply accused the UN of falling for lies concocted by neighbouring Ethiopia.

On 30 November 2009, States from every continent of the world expressed concern at the extent of human rights violations taking place in Eritrea. Appearing before the Human Rights Council, the Eritrean delegation faced broad-ranging questioning of their human rights record. Statements by members states expressed concern at the ongoing use of torture, arbitrary and indefinite detention, the suppression of press freedom and freedom of religion and belief, the recruitment of child soldiers, the abuse of female conscripts and the indefinite term of national service.

To read the full press release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, click here.

With the words "We have a European programme, and now we have a European team", José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, today announced the portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission. The new College will have 27 members, including President Barroso, one from each Member State. It includes 9 women and it will have 7 Vice-Presidents, including Vice-President Baroness Catherine Ashton who will, at the same time, be the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December next.

For more information on the new team of Barrosso and the new look of the College, click here.