The network for international development

News and issues

Demonstration Members' news pulls in the latest headlines from a selection of our members, while Global Development has all the latest articles from the Guardian's international development site.

Showcasing and debating key issues, emerging topics, news for the UK international development sector, The Networker is our quarterly magazine, free both to download and to read online.

Below are stories about Bond and the UK international development sector.

You can also keep up-to-date on a range of news and stories by subscribing to our regular e-bulletins or following us on Twitter.

February 2012

UK aid legislation update
Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell stated that legislation legally enshrining the increase in UK aid spending to 0.7% of GNI from 2013 has been delayed.

January 2012

Value for money paper
Value for money: what it means for UK NGOs offers a practical guide to navigating the concept, focusing on the practices of UK NGOs.

New consultations
The European Commission is drafting a Communication on 'Social Protection in European Union Development Cooperation' to be adopted in 2012. They welcome contributions.

My Bond - coming soon
My Bond will be a social network for the international development sector. Once launched, in spring 2012, it will change the way that we communicate with our members and the way members interact with each other.

EU "marginalising anti-poverty objectives"
A new report finds that the European Union is marginalising anti-poverty objectives within the European External Action Service and that the EEAS has done little to prioritise Policy Coherence for Development in its programmes.

December 2011

New Chief Executive
Bond is delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Jackson as its new Chief Executive.

Effective EU development?
Bond has submitted evidence to the International Development Committee outlining strengths and shortcomings of EU development efforts.

Durban climate change conference 2011
Climate negotiations in Durban concluded with ministers agreeing the “Durban platform for enhanced action”.

UK must do more to fight corruption
The government must do more to tackle the role that UK banks and companies play in fueling and facilitating corruption overseas, according to a report by Bond's Anti-Corruption Group.

Brazil urged to protect its forests
The Bond Development and Environment Group has written a letter to President Dilma of Brazil to address the planned amendments to the country's Forest Code.

EU budget proposes increase for poverty programmes
The European Commission launched details of the proposed European Union budget 2014-2020 on 7 December 2011.

HLF4 progress
Following 11th hour negotiations, China agreed to join the new 'global partnership on development effectiveness', established in Busan at the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4).

November 2011

Greater transparency
The USA and Canada have announced at the 4th High Level Forum in Busan that they are both signing up to the International Aid Transparency Initiative. Also this week, Oxfam has become one of the first International NGOs to publish their data to the initiative, joining the International AIDS/HIV Alliance.

Autumn Statement Response
In his Autumn Statement the Chancellor George Osborne reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to reach an aid spend of 0.7% of GNI by 2013.

New date for Strategic advocacy
We’re offering an extra date for our new Strategic advocacy course. The December course has sold out, so sign up for 7-8 February to learn more about advocacy planning, tactics and tools.

UK aid programme reviewed
The Independent Commission for Aid Impact has published its first reviews of the UK aid programme. Bond welcomes ICAI’s reports and recommendations which reflect many NGOs' concerns, particularly around the concept of Value for Money and the fight against corruption.

Conference declared a great success
A full house of delegates attended the Bond Annual Conference 2011 and declared the day a great success. "A vital opportunity to learn about trends in the sector and hear thoughtful inputs" said one Bond member.

G20: UK NGOs' reactions, official outcomes
G20 leaders met in France last week to address ongoing challenges within the global economy. They also discussed the G20’s approach to development, including on issues such as food security, infrastructure and social protection.

New report finds EU undermining rights
European Union policies continue to seriously undermine rights in developing countries says the new CONCORD report on Policy Coherence for Development launched on 7 November.

October 2011

Open data published
Bond member the International HIV/AIDS Alliance has become only the second NGO in the world to publish information on its work in the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard format.

New training programme
Bond’s January-June 2012 training programme is out now, with all our regular bestsellers plus a brand new project management course, Managing the project cycle.

September 2011

Lyndall Stein named as interim Chief Executive
Lyndall Stein says that she is "delighted to be joining Bond".

UK NGO joint position on the future of aid
Over 40 Bond members attended the launch of the joint UK NGO position for the upcoming 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan.

August 2011

Aid and conflict: invitation to sign statement
The UK government is being urged to "be accountable to the poor and marginalised rather than to abusive governments" by organisations including the Bond Conflict Policy Group.

Growth and development paper
A new Bond discussion paper seeks to inform the discussions on how this focus on growth could deliver inclusive and sustainable development.