The year 2015 is a crucial one for foreign aid. The Millennium Development Goals are expiring soon, and the United nations Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 agenda will be held this September. During this critical year, Japan has also revised its Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter. It no longer talks about ODA; instead it has adopted a Development Cooperation Charter. The new Charter, which states that aid is necessary among some of the more developed countries as well, has a strong emphasis on Japan's national interests and is designed to balance security and development. Moreover, it urges a stronger position for private companies and allows further cooperation with many other countries. Asia - the ASEAN region in particular - is highlighted, due to its high relevance for Japan's own security and prosperity. In this way, the new Charter utilizes foreign aid as a political and diplomatic tool, rather than a means for poverty reduction. This lecture will trace the development as well as the implications of the new Charter. 

Date and Time: November 4, 19:00 - 

Venue: Lecture Hall, International House of Japan, 5-11-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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