Minister Väyrynen: Development cooperation enjoys strong popular support
Press release 195/2009
16 July, 2009
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen feels that the Finnish development co-operation enjoys strong popular support. This is the only conclusion one can draw from the annual Gallup poll on development cooperation that was published in Pori at the SuomiAreena event on 16 July. On the basis of the survey, no major changes have happened over the recent years in the opinions concerning the importance of development cooperation and the level of appropriations for the purpose.
“When more than 80 per cent of the respondents consider development policy and cooperation important or at least fairly important, and when almost 90 per cent feel that the development cooperation appropriations should remain at least at the current level, this result can be considered significant under the prevailing economic circumstances. It is a sign of the strong sense of responsibility Finns feel for helping those less well off than us,” Väyrynen stated.
The Minister believes that one key factor for the strong support people show for development cooperation is the fact that development cooperation implemented by Finland is considered efficient and successful. Fortunately, according to Väyrynen, a few negative pieces of news we have heard lately have not changed the basic view people hold.
“On the contrary, perhaps the incidents brought into the public eye have strengthened people’s impression that development cooperation is being constantly monitored and evaluated and unclear cases are addressed effectively and rapidly. It is easy to give one’s support to operation like this,” Väyrynen estimated.
Väyrynen considers it also important that the themes occurring in national debate also come up in the context of development cooperation. As an example he mentions the debate on climate change, in regard to which the respondents have underscored the particular importance of renewable energy, environmentally-friendly technology and expansion of the climate agreement system.
“The global importance and extent of these issues has been widely acknowledged. These themes are also in keeping with the current development policy programme, relying on the principles of sustainable development, so this further confirms that we are on the right track,” the Minister emphasised.
As an example, Väyrynen brought up the Transatlantic Partnership for Sustainable Development, launched on Finland’s initiative. One of its particular aims is to enhance the resources of the poorest countries to participate in, for instance, trade, environmental and development negotiations.
“This initiative provides developing countries with improved chances to participate in the operation of the international system and be involved in negotiations concerning them,” the Minister underscored.
The survey was commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and conducted by Taloustutkimus Oy. The purpose of the study was to survey the opinions and level of information of Finnish citizens on development cooperation. As applicable, the study also offers follow-up information on former similar studies.
The survey was implemented as part of the Omnibus study through personal interviews mostly at the homes of the respondents. The sample included 1,000 people and the target group was 15-79-year-old Finnish population, the Åland Islands excluded. The interviews were made in 82 different towns and cities between 4 and 23 June, 2009.
Additional information: Riitta Oksanen, Head of Unit, Department for Development Policy, tel. +358 9 1605 6283, Press Attaché Pirjo-Liisa Heikkilä, Department for Communication and Culture, tel. +358 40 705 5623, and Advisor to the Minister Päivi Nevala, tel. +358 40 753 4375
- The Survey (Link to another website.)(in Finnish)