The objective of the conference is to create a dialogue on the contemporary role of foreign aid in South Asian economies and to better understand how policies in donor and recipient countries need to be reformed in order to enhance the efficacy of foreign aid as an economic tool. The conference will analyse the role and significance of foreign aid in South Asian countries and the challenges inherent in enhancing the efficacy of foreign aid. These will be juxtaposed against the current international trends in foreign aid reform as articulated by the Paris Declaration and the dialogue in Accra and beyond. The specific circumstances of individual countries and aid related policies that have been adopted will serve as useful lessons to other countries in the South Asian region, and the sharing of these experiences will provide valuable input into future policy making in all South Asian countries. The Conference will provide an open forum for discussion and debate among policy makers, donors, researchers and civil society organizations from South Asia.