The people of the world suffer the greatest from the current economic and financial crisis, the worst in a century. Supposed measures to deal with the crisis further aggravate the hardship of the world’s poor and flagrantly serve to bail out and perpetuate the oppressive and exploitative system of monopoly capitalism. A radical overhaul is needed and societies must be built that deliver livelihoods, incomes, education, health and housing for the people.

A side event entitled “The Reality of Aid 2008 Report: Aid Effectiveness, Democratic Ownership and Human Rights” was organised by the Reality of Aid secretariat during the CSO Forum on Financing for Development on 27 November 2008 in the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Doha, Qatar.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has acquitted Dr. Irene Fernandez, co-founder and executive director of Tenaganita.

The first words as she was congratulated, Irene said, “I am free! At last I am free!”

The Reality of Aid organized a side event entitled “Accra to Doha: from Aid Effectiveness to Better Financing for Development” during the International Conference on Financing for Development on December 1, 2008 at the Dukhan Function Room of the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, Qatar.