Finland contributes to Global Sustainable Development

As the new government plan is being discussed in Finland, UniPID wants to emphasize how Finland contributes to global sustainable development through the four key messages

Finland is a globally responsive and responsible partner

It is in Finland’s interest to be globally responsive and responsible. Development cooperation is imperative to promote a more equitable, just, and sustainable world. Global responsibility and policy coherence are key principles in the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals which Finland has signed among other UN member countries. Finland as a global and interdependent actor has the potential to use its strengths to pursue and promote UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Development cooperation is international diplomacy

In the era of poly-crisis and globally turbulent times, Finland has an important position to bear global responsibility. Development cooperation is part of international diplomacy. Finland should consider this as an important way to promote global collaboration. Development cooperation is an important means to actively influence global agendas through participation in international forums and organizations.

Promoting the values in and of Finnish development policy

Through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Finland can convey Finnish perspectives, know-how, trade, research, and freedom of speech in countries, in which democratic values are in danger. Decreasing development cooperation is shortsighted and will send an alarming signal to countries where Finland has had long-term collaboration and relationships. Decreasing development cooperation will also limit Finland from gaining diverse and multifaceted inputs and perspectives to address global challenges. Hence, it will not only directly impact diplomatic relations but also hinder comprehensive forms of collaboration with these countries.

One of the priorities of the Finnish development policy is education, and through development cooperation, Finland aims to ensure opportunities for quality, inclusive, and equitable education and learning. Finland’s expertise in the field of education is recognized globally and through development cooperation, Finland has been able to address the global learning crisis. For example, Finland has been active in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and their access to education. Therefore, it is crucial to continue promoting education as a channel for sustainable transformations.

Finnish citizens value development cooperation and they see Finland having an important role in stabilizing the turbulence in the current world order through development cooperation. For example, the support given to Ukraine and to those fleeing the war has been widely appreciated in Finland. Decreasing development cooperation would go against public opinion.

Development cooperation at local grassroot-level conducted by NGOs, experts, researchers and the private sector in bilateral and multilateral projects increases Finland’s visibility, improves Finland’s possibilities for trade and other type of collaborations, and ultimately paves the way to promote values, rights, and democratic thinking.

Development cooperation supports research and academic partnerships

Research is inherently international. Finnish universities have a significant role in development policy and cooperation through responsible and reciprocal university partnerships, covering education and research. The science community strengthens Finland’s development cooperation by offering academic expertise to measure, analyze and monitor its targets and results. Through academic partnerships, Finnish universities and the academic community can reinforce capacity building in partner countries.

There is a need to maintain, develop and utilize understanding of global challenges and the Global South. By studying and covering a variety of themes, sectors, regions, and countries, Finland is able to act in an ethically sustainable manner in multifaceted global cooperation. This in turn will facilitate reciprocal knowledge production, knowledge transfer and the creation of expanded international career opportunities for exceptionally talented individuals.

****

For the aspects mentioned above, UniPID, its member universities, collaborators, partners and staff in general manifest concerns on the possible decrease of development cooperation. With the firm conviction that there is still much to improve and strengthen, we are convinced that the achievements accomplished over several years in cooperation and development pathways have benefited both Finland and its partner countries. Through development cooperation, Finland continues promoting global sustainable development.

****
Photo credits: Randy Tarampi, 2020 on Unsplash