In September 2001, the MDGs were approved by the 56th UN General Assembly. The international community is thus in possession of a common goal system that has been agreed upon by all relevant actors and that is both measurable and set to be implemented by a fixed date. The intention is that both,...

Effectiveness can always be measured only in relation to a specific, pre-defined goal or goal system. In the case of aid effectiveness, this system should be the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are now recognised by all relevant stakeholders as the central objectives of international....