Pertti Majanen, Under Secretary of State: The role of NGO´s is vital in the government’s development policy
Department for Development Policy
Press release, 6 October, 2003
“It is not sufficient enough to provide development aid. A good partner is vital in promoting the role of developing countries in international cooperation and in facilitating their access to the benefits of globalisation as well as in helping to combat the negative effects of globalisation. The most important tool of partnership is not always money. The public sector, businesses and NGO´s can strengthen partnerships in many other ways, too, in the spirit of global partnership as envisaged in Monterrey”, says Pertti Majanen, Under Secretary of State.
Majanen spoke on Monday, 6 October, at a debate forum organised jointly by the Department for Development Policy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Service Centre for Development Cooperation, Kepa, to discuss the new government policy on development cooperation.
“As a demonstration of the government’s willingness to improve efforts in the field of development policy in Finland as well, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs invited the civic society to participate in the preparation of the new government development policy and launched a project with NGO’s which is aimed at incorporating a wide civic vision”, says Majanen. The cooperation is all about a joint agreement which requires mutual commitment to a common target of quality and quantity, he emphasised.
“The interaction of Finland and Finns with developing nations takes place on many levels. In addition to development policy our cooperation with developing countries encompasses also trade, immigration, agriculture and environment policies. Increasingly, the public sector builds partnerships with businesses, academics, consumers and civic movements”, says Majanen.
“One of the central parts of our work is to emphasise the role and tasks of the civic society. Finnish NGO´s play a major role in the development of a democratic and equal society also internationally”, he says.
The new development policy of Finland is scheduled to be finalised by the end of the year. The objective is to compile a programme which looks at development issues from a wide perspective and seeks to increase its quality and effectiveness. The most important objective is to consolidate Finland’s commitment to the goals of the Millennium Declaration and to prioritise the reduction of poverty.
To liven up the dialogue on the development policy programme the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has launched a discussion forum at: global.finland.fi/kehityspolitiikka(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window). The Internet site also provides background information about the programme.
Further information: Pertti Ikonen, Head of NGO Liaison Unit, gsm 040 592 6353, and Riitta Oksanen, Advisor, gsm 050 558 1577, Ministry for Foreign Affairs