The Role of ODA in Promoting Sustainable Investment in Developing Countries

Date: November 4, 2009
Location: Columbia University, New York

The Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland organized a workshop on November 4, 2009 at Columbia University to promote discussion about using funds legislated by donor governments for official development assistance (ODA) in ways that lead to more sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI) in aid-receiving countries, particularly through the support of policies and activities at the sub-national level.

The workshop brought together 16 experts from developed and developing country governments, international organizations, academia, the private sector, and civil society, all of whom participated in their personal capacity in a half-day of intense discussion of two related themes, namely: (1) How ODA might be leveraged at national and sub-national levels so as to either directly or indirectly encourage FDI that meets essential sustainability criteria, and (2) How ODA might help foster linkages between foreign affiliates and local firms, thereby enhancing local employment and stimulating domestic entrepreneurship.

Download the Workshop Report.

Download the Workshop Program and List of Participants.