Smart development goals: A promising opportunity to influence aid spending via post-mdgs? An evaluation of “Copenhagen consensus centre”

Abstract

In seeking to steer global development assistance given the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Copenhagen Consensus Center (CCC) proposes an optimistic outlook regarding their influence on the next round of the MDGs. They claim their work and advocacy can recommend achievable goals and shift billions towards higher-impact causes due to their ability to synthesize expert opinions and research in development and welfare economics. While influential members of the development community have endorsed the CCC and adopted some of its suggestions, the selection of goals and the assessment of their cost-effectiveness rely on methods likely to lead to highly uncertain estimates. The CCC also faces challenges, including its emphasis on controversial climate change research and concerns that the MDG process might achieve similar or better outcomes without its involvement. – AI-generated abstract.