Solutions in a world of crisis

The finance crisis and the climate crisis are close upon us. The food crisis and energy crisis threaten the everyday existence of millions of people. The globe is more vulnerable and the danger of conflict is increasing. Individual security is weakened. These crises are a question of life and death, particularly in poor countries. In the future an increased fight for resources will dominate the picture of development.

The crises are related. The climate changes hit food production. The lack of energy means that the world turns to fossil fuels at the expense of climate-friendly energy. The finance crisis makes us more keen on  maintaining our living standards  than choosing options that support sustainable development. The distribution of power and finance between the rich and the poor, women and men, the majority and minorities, are hit hard when crises loom, and people look after themselves and those closest to them. 

Solutions to the crises must be seen in relation to each other. The consequences are felt locally, but must be solved globally. The UN is the most legitimate arena to find such solutions. There is therefore a desperate need to defend, but also to reform, this global organisation. New forums of power which are not representative and where the weaker nations lose their voices, such as G20, must not take over the role of the UN.

The global distribution of power is changing. Power is moving eastwards and southwards. More and more often it is economic interests that dictate. This in itself is a challenge to Norway and Norwegian organisations whose values are heavily rooted in a context of western democracy and human rights.

A raft of White Papers have addressed these challenges. They have correctly pointed out the fact that Norwegian aid has only a limited role in development. Norway is an important player internationally – as one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and gas, as the owner of the enormous Petroleum Fund, and increasingly as the major owner of international businesses. The values that guide this increasing international engagement can make a difference.

Norwegian foreign policy is built on the understanding that all Norwegian interests are harmonised to try to create development. The fact that these interests often prioritise  economic interests is something ForUM is critical towards. There is a strong belief that Norwegian industry affects development positively. However we fear that things can go very wrong if we go into a poor country with our own economic interests as the most important perspective. We believe that value-based interests such as human rights, the environment and democracy have been pushed aside in the wake of Norwegian business interests. This is seen particularly clearly in the lack of follow-up to the report on how a comprehensive Norwegian policy could contribute to development in poor countries (NOU 2008:14).

ForUM believes that development policy should be coordinated. The most striking paradox is that our hydrocarbon-based economy gives us the possibility of handing out climate billions to conserve rain forests in Brazil.  Oil money allows us to behave as climate’s helper with style; at the same time as our nationally owned oil company drains out the bottom of the oil barrels. Another striking paradox is related to Norway’s role as peace-builder, a role that is undermined by the fact we are a major weapon exporter without sufficient control over the final destination of our weapons.

ForUM is an important and clear voice when it comes to addressing the Norwegian authorities. We must promote solidarity, redistribution, equity and welfare –all once lay the foundations for the development of Norwegian society. The Norwegian model must be promoted both internationally and nationally.

A well-functioning state and inter-state collaboration must be built on democracy and broad participation. Therefore ForUM will work to ensure that civil society’s voice is heard and that partners in the South in particular are involved nationally and internationally. By working with international partners ForUM will make their perspectives known and enable their participation in important international processes.

The choice of ForUM’s focus areas is inexorably connected to the challenges that are the most pressing for development and the environment: Climate, international trade, food security, water and conflict, peace and human security, financial systems and corporate social responsibility. A new priority area is the need for aid reform and challenges related to aid, in light of the ongoing debate on this topic. We shall continuously work to investigate contradictions in Norwegian development policy. Our credibility must be preserved as a country different from others.

In the current framework planning period, ForUM will accordingly concentrate on the following themes:

• Climate and energy
• Finance and reform
• Corporate social responsibility
• Trade and the WTO
• Peace and human security
• Food security
• Fresh water and hygiene
• Aid reform

We will collaborate closely with Norwegian member organisations and international collaborating partners to influence Norwegian authorities and international institutions in order to achieve our policy outcomes. We will undertake advocacy campaigns through direct dialogue, written contributions, participation in delegations, public debate, and the media. Our combined efforts in each programme area will contribute to raising the level of the debate, coordinating policy development and influence, and increasing public awareness about the topic in question.