Authors

• Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Department for International Development Cooperation

Keywords

developing countries, development aid (international), development policy, disaster relief, information sources, international cooperation, public expenditure, social influence, the UN Millennium Project, voluntary aid

Abstract

The survey charted Finnish opinion on the country's development cooperation, its importance, content, objectives, and allocation. Some questions focused on the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The respondents were asked how important they considered development cooperation to be, and which geographical area of the world should be the main target of Finnish development aid. Opinions on the most important goals and areas (e.g. education, health care, industry) for development aid were surveyed. Those respondents who were familiar with the UN Millennium Development Goals were asked to list the goals they knew, as well as to tell where they had received information on them. All the respondents selected three most important goals. They were also asked whether they thought development cooperation increased international security.

Some questions pertained to whether there was enough information available on development cooperation, and from which sources the respondents had received most information. They also evaluated the reliability of the information given by the authorities, civil society groups, and the media. Views on the amount of funds Finland spends on development cooperation annually (as per cent of the GNP) were probed, as well as opinions on the percentage recommended by the UN. Those who thought the amount of funds allocated to development cooperation should be increased were asked how the increase should be funded.

The respondents were asked how effective and successful Finland's development cooperation was. Views were explored on the greatest challenges of development cooperation, on the speed and amount of Finnish humanitarian aid, and on selecting aid targets. Finally, the respondents gave their opinions on how individuals could best help the developing countries.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, occupation, province of residence, and household size.