In the first of a series of events looking at international development and the aid industry we will be examining the UK international development budget and the implications for foreign aid. What is the coalition government’s policy towards the development budget and what impact will the proposed changes have on countries around the world?

The government has signalled its intention to retarget a large proportion of the budget to achieving stability in Afghanistan, but is there a danger that the line between development aid and military intervention becomes increasingly blurred? What will be the impact of cut backs in aid to countries such as India, China and Russia?

Join us at the Frontline Club with an expert panel to discuss the coalition government’s shake up of the international development budget and if they have their priorities in the right places.

Chaired by Humphrey Hawksley, leading BBC foreign correspondent, author and commentator on world affairs.

With:

Michael Anderson, DFID director general for policy and global issues;

Dorcas Erskine, ActionAid head of public affairs;

Samir Elhawary, ODI Research Fellow, currently researching the evolving role of humanitarian action in conflict-affected emergencies, with a particular focus on the interface between humanitarianism and politics;

Paul Ackroyd, International Development Consultant.