Analyses the role of the actors involved in policy processes at national level and the availablity of poverty knowledge. Distinguishes between traditional experts, like donor and creditor agencies, and new experts, such as civil society organizations, concluding that the latter should reclaim from government and its donor partners the territory of participation.

This paper reviews some early interim and full PRSPs for countries with which the authors worked during 1999-2000 (Uganda, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mali and The Gambia). The purpose of the review is to compare and contrast how the PRSP process was established there. It finds that rapid progress was made in implementing the initiative in all the countries, increasing commitment to poverty reduction amongst government and donors and encouraging broader participation in the policy dialogue. However, there was considerable variation between the cases, reflecting different local contexts and capacities.

Partnership Forums are the means by which the OECD Development Assistance Committee provides a venue for non-governmental actors to express their points of view. This book presents the proceedings of the December 2000 Forum on Onwership and Partnership.