Source: http://formin.finland.fi/
The Government of Finland in its recently announced program has made a commitment aimed at reforming the country’s development policy to meet the future needs. In this connection, Ministry for Foreign Affairs has launched the preparation of Development Policy Action Plan specifying the government policies.
“We are aiming at a so-called ‘devoted development policy’, which means that Finland will listen to various views and engage in real dialogue about the direction of development both domestically and in the international arena. The practical measures have to be in line with the principles applied,” Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala states.
A series of discussion events under the heading KEPO OPEN will be launched soon for the purpose of preparing the Action Plan. Many stakeholders of development policy and development co-operation such as NGOs, enterprises and researchers will be invited to these thematic discussions. During the preparation of Development Policy Action Plan, it is also being proposed to consider the inclusion of social media offering opportunities to anyone interested in the subject.
The position of developing countries in today’s global world is affected also by many other measures than those taken as part of development policy and development co-operation, and reduction of poverty requires coherence between various fields of operation. Accordingly, it is also being proposed to consult a wide range of other government and private sector operators affecting the status of developing countries with their activities.
“The Action Plan aims particularly at enhancing the impact, quality and effectiveness of Finnish development aid and ensuring the continuity of such efforts. This requirement is also included in the Government Program,” Minister Hautala says.
It has been the priority of the Finnish development policy to promote the rule of law, democracy and human rights, sustainable development, education, decent working conditions, reduction of unemployment among young people and improvement of the status of women and children. The government’s program also highlights the need to leverage Finland’s strengths in various sectors and thematic areas.
