The Nordic Efforts Against Poverty and Injustice at a Crossroads | 2015 |

The Nordic countries are at a crossroads. A crossroads that is testing our global role, our leaders and our identity. Our choices will affect the lives of millions of people all over the world.

The Nordic countries have a unique role in the world in their efforts in peace, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. They are characterized by high levels of development aid in which poverty alleviation is the overall objective. In addition, Nordic politicians have invested time and resources in political processes where they don't necessarily have direct self interests: peace negotiations, UN Sustainable Development Goals and gender equality.

We call it The Nordic Exceptionalism. It's not exceptionalism as in smugness, it's exceptionalism as in idealism and will to make a change that can benefit the world's poor, and hence ourselves. The efforts against poverty and injustice are the Nordic countries' long term interests. It gives the Nordic governments credibility and authority in the international arena, and contributes to reduce poverty for millions of people.

The extreme global inequality, climate crisis and refugee crisis puts us to the test. The Norwegian and Swedish governments have proposed to let the world's poorest pay for the all-time-high refugee costs. The world's poor are already paying for efforts taken against climate change by the Nordic countries.

In Denmark and Finland, the governments have proposed dramatic cuts in the development aid budgets. What is left to finance the newly adopted UN Sustainable Development Goals? What is left to finance long term development efforts on Human Rights and sustainable development?

Smugness as Leftover of Nordic Exceptionalism?

'Sapere aude'