スウェーデンの援助政策の現状と課題

―人道主義援助の今後―

抄録

Among donor nations, Sweden-largely unencumbered by short-term political or economic interest-has gained the reputation of being a country most guided by its humanitarian assistance to developing countries. Established in the Government Bill of 1962 on the principle of “solidarity with the poor of the Third World” and “moral duty”, the Swedish program consistently leads other DAC donors in such criteria as aid volume and in its willingness to include radical regimes and liberation movements among its recipients. In 1974, Sweden was the first country to reach the UN's target of one percent of GNP, and its philosophy of humanitarian assistance is based on welfare policy, active involvement of NGOs in development assistance policy, and foreign policy. Such humanitarian assistance has enjoyed popular public support.

Sweden has taken measures of “country frame”, which squeezes about 20 core recipients. Country programming aims increase recipient involvement and responsibility through flexible administrative procedures and widespread program assistance.

At the present time, Sweden's development assistance policy is at a critical juncture. Since plunging into recession in 1990, criticism of its welfare policy and entry into the European Union have had repercussions on its humanitarian development assistance. As well, an aid-dependency situation has developed those who have received Swedish assistance for the past 30 years. Swedish assistance policy has shifted from 'aid on the recipient's term' towards acceptance of the mainstream structural adjustment approach approved and adopted by the rest of the donor community. Public support for development assistance has declined since 1990.

Humanitarian assistance programs have undergone a sober assessment of the difficulties and dilemmas in development assistance. Unfortunately, this had led to low organizational low accountability and disillusionment regarding humanitarian assistance on the part of the public. However, humanitarian assistance has a long-term effect on the partnership between recipients and developed countries, a relationship that is indispensable for resolving world issues.