ABSTRACT

The Netherlands had traditionally followed the practice of concentrating its programs on a few countries, but it attempted to establish criteria for selection of countries that would be consistent with the new policy goals. Responding in part to increasing economic difficulties in the Netherlands economy, the focus shifted somewhat towards improving "aid effectiveness," although the government still supported the general goal of reaching 1.0 percent of GNP. The Netherlands also attempted during this period to play a leading role in internationalizing its longstanding concern for the need for structural adjustment in the economies of the developed nations in order to improve relations with the third world. Through a special "co-financing" arrangement, for example, part of the development assistance budget is allocated in large part to supporting the overseas development work of the major religious groups, which are among the most important members of the "development constituency" in the Netherlands.