A report commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims Norway can make a difference by strengthening African countries’ capacities to benefit from China’s growing engagement in Africa. Norway should also aim for direct cooperation with China on “joint lessons in African countries where Chinese oil companies are active, and Norway has an Oil-for-Development programme”.

Sweden’s Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson (Moderate) is leaving the aid level alone, but she plans to review content and efficiency. Swedish aid is spread among too many different UN agencies and recipient countries without clear strategies. And the use of Swedish state agencies and NGOs is not transparent. “Enough passive aid," says the new Minister in an in depth interview with Development Today.

The Danida official responsible for handling aid to the Mekong River Commission, Kurt Mørck Jensen, commissioned a study of the MRC. He sought leave from the Ministry to join the research team, and then returned to his job in Copenhagen. Jensen tells DT that “switching hats" is common practice in Northern Europe. But his double role has been widely questioned and the Danish Foreign Ministry is holding the report at arm’s length.

Next year’s substantial cut in funding of the World Food Programme (WFP) is an unusual move in Norwegian aid politics. Support to WFP is slashed by NOK 55 million, while total Norwegian aid increases by NOK 2.2 billion next year. Norway wants WFP to specialise within emergency relief. Norwegian in-kind support to WFP is simultaneously being phased out, though this was announced many years ago.

Future Danish diplomats are urged to abandon their traditional notions of classical diplomacy. They must be adept at informal networking, they must learn Chinese and Arabic, and be able to articulate Danish interests and policies in complex contexts. Denmark will also strengthen its representation abroad. Embassies will be re-opened and fortified not only in the Middle East and powerhouses like China and India, but also in Latin America and strategic spots in Africa. These are some of the recommendations in Diplomacy in a Boundless World, a Danish Foreign Ministry report on modernisation of the administration.

Swedish election observers to Aceh

The Swedish government has decided to send observers to Aceh province in Indonesia for the December 11, 2006 election. The Swedes will be part of ...

A state-funded agency with a mandate to evaluate Swedish and international development assistance has been established in Sweden.

Letter to the Editor

Ulla Tørnæs: DT ‘misleads its readers’ on Danish Africa aid