Jubilee Stocktaking

Abstract

As CDC approached its 25th anniversary in 1973, several occasions were presented for reviewing what had been achieved over the period. Its twentieth anniversary and the favourable conclusions of the working party provided the theme for a reflective annual report in 1968. The 1971 annual report contained Howick’s valedictory thoughts after twelve years as chairman. At the beginning of 1973 it was Rendell’s turn to retire after twenty years as general manager of CDC, which prompted reflections from his successor. The year 1973 was something of a watershed in other respects as well. The oil crisis in the autumn of that year was a severe setback to the economies of the developed world for several years. In Britain it signalled the end of a period of Conservative rule, following the winter of discontent. Thus, by 1974 there was a new chairman, new general manager and a new government, all in short order. It is a natural moment to consider what had been achieved over the quarter century and to seek to understand CDC’s own self-image as a development agency.