interesting article on how little is tracked and how little we know about what works in terms of foreign development aid and assistance. Throwing money at problems alone doesn't fix them, and despite the G8 pledges to throw more money, which is good, problems are getting worse.

This powerpoint slideshow on the history of development and underdevelopment, called "Why is the Third World the Third World" is a little academic, but really pretty illustrative of the myriad and overlapping problems that contribute to poverty and underdevelopment. Good combination of statistics, maps and pictures to bring it home to the layman..

Worth reading!
A look at development theory and history, and the "right" way to approach ending poverty in the developing world, as well as the methods that work and don't work. (supoosedly)
Quoted: An economist says big ideas to "end poverty" have failed for decades -- and that the West needs to fight the war one village at a time.