In connection with natural disasters such as the cyclone in Mozambique, large and increasing amounts are still being collected. But there are many other motives for the aid, writes the aid expert Lennart Wohlgemuth. Photo: Africom (CC BY 2.0)
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
Ever since we started with Swedish official development assistance, solidarity has been the most important motive for providing support to the world's poor in their quest for development. In recent years, that motive has been increasingly questioned. But there are also other important motives for continuing with aid, writes aid expert Lennart Wohlgemuth.
March 2, 2020, Debate
Supporting countries' public institutions can be an important path to development, the debaters write. Here are some public offices in Rosario, Philippines. Photo: Ramon FVelasquez (CC-3.0)
Of: Bertil Odén and Lennart Wohlgemuth
Strengthening the knowledge level of low-income countries in both private and public institutions is an important way of creating development. Despite this, this type of assistance has been given less and less space. Now we must dare to invest in capacity and institution building - even if it is difficult, write the development experts Bertil Odén and Lennart Wohlgemuth.
October 26, 2018, Debate
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
When Sweden conducts development cooperation with undemocratic countries, we must choose whether we should cooperate with the state or not. If we are to be able to influence the development of another country in the long term, the only alternative is for us to have a close dialogue with the country, writes Professor Lennart Wohlgemuth.
January 16, 2018, Debate
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
After about fifteen years of good growth, economic development in Africa has changed abruptly. The need for assistance is increasing at the same time as donor countries are making cuts and reprioritisations. Now we must make sure to safeguard long-term poverty reduction efforts run by the African countries themselves, writes Lennart Wohlgemuth.
May 16, 2016, Debate
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
The Kampala Declaration on Academic Freedom was created 25 years ago and was of great importance for the opportunities to conduct critical research in Africa. Sweden supported the initiative, despite risks and the sensitive subject. Now the threats to academic freedom in Africa are increasing again, at the same time as Sweden is reducing the resources for research aid. That must change, writes Lennart Wohlgemuth.
April 26, 2016, Debate
Of: Bertil Odén and Lennart Wohlgemuth
When the Paris Declaration was negotiated in 2005, it was seen as a paradigm shift in international aid policy. Donors and recipients would take joint responsibility and assistance would be more effective. But today very little of the agreements remains, write Bertil Odén and Lennart Wohlgemuth.
April 15, 2015, Debate
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
Aid cannot or should not take on all the successes and failures in the development of poor countries over the past 50 years. But the study "Swedish development cooperation 50 years" (2012) shows that development assistance can be significant if there is a will for development in the recipient country, writes Lennart Wohlgemuth, professor at the University of Gothenburg
November 22, 2012, Debate
