The Evolution of Official Finnish Development Policy

Abstract

Antola, E. The Evolution of Official Finnish Development Policy. Cooperation and Conflict, XIII, 1978, 231-241.

The author begins by noting that the problems connected with development policy did not become salient to Finnish foreign policy-makers until Finland joined the UN in 1955. In the 1960's diplomatic relations with the developing countries expanded signific antly, and an independent development policy began to be formulated. The author ana lyses three official committee reports on development policy from 1963,1968-69, and 1978, respectively, and concludes that official policy has contained three stable elements: a linkage to the UN system, a tie-up with Scandinavian cooperation, and a concentration on bilateral aid. In conclusion some major problems connected with these stable elements are discussed, among them the gap between promise and performance which poten tially threatens the credibility of Finland's development policy.