There has been lively discussion this autumn about the future of Finland’s development policy. During the current parliamentary term, the Orpo Government’s cuts to development cooperation have amounted to more than €1.3 billion. The National Coalition Party and the Finns Party, both in government, appear to agree on their aim of cutting several hundred million euros more from development cooperation in the next parliamentary term. Recently, however, the latter party has gone further and announced that it wants to abolish development cooperation altogether, with the exception of cooperation with Ukraine, which is at least said to be continuing.
Finland’s security is strengthened by our strong international reputation. Around the world, Finland is known as a resolver of conflicts and a reliable partner that works for sustainable development. Our own development over the past century or so is also a story of which we can be proud internationally. These are among the reasons why development cooperation benefits Finland’s foreign relations. Finland has long-term strategic goals in international politics and a vision of the kind of global political environment in which we want to live.
In some arguments, the funding crisis in development policy is also presented as an unfortunate consequence of the need to balance public finances and, among other things, direct money to defence. Yet we must remember that security is built through measures beyond the vital investments we make in our military capabilities. Global crises affect Finland, too. Preventable health, food and poverty crises can increase the number of armed conflicts around the world and cause immense human suffering. On a broader scale, funding crises affecting the UN and other international humanitarian organisations may mean, among other things, that more and more people are forced to flee their homes.
I believe this quotation from the Centre Party’s statement of principles reflects the worldview that development cooperation also helps to advance:
“At the heart of the Centre Party’s values is the defence of the rule of law, human rights and national cohesion, even in difficult times. A world order based on rules and agreements is the foundation of everything for us. We stand for peace and against violence and war. We do not accept changes to national borders except by agreement and in accordance with international law.”
Finland’s excellent reputation for helping to solve global problems is one of our strengths as we seek a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2029–2030 term. In my view, supporting this campaign should be one of the next government’s most important foreign and security policy goals.
The author is Anton Sahinaho, a member of the board of Centre Students, chair of Turku Centre Students and vice-chair of the board of the Finnish UN Association.