Carin Jämtin
Minister of International Development and Cooperation

TEXT: TERESA IVARS
PHOTO: PAWEL FLATO

Sweden is one of the first countries in the world to have a fully integrated policy for global development, so that equitable and sustainable development assistance is coordinated with all areas of national policy. No wonder Sweden enjoys an enviable international reputation as a generous, transparent and reliable partner.


Sweden is a world leader in providing economic assistance to developing countries, both in terms of volume as well as a percentage of its gross national product. Significantly, the aid is not tied to political issues, or to explicit objectives apart from poverty reduction, and promotion of international peace, democracy and human rights. The Swedish Bulletin was recently privileged to meet Carin Jämtin, the bright face of Sweden’s new policy for global development. Surrounded by Swedish design pieces, she brightened a dark winter morning with her cheerful smile at her office at Sophia Albertina. She describes herself as “a real Swede who likes the forest, loves the outdoors, walks regularly in the woods and watches soccer on weekends.” Mother of two young children, Carin is a fan of Hammarby, and accompanies her daughter to basketball training.

A basic objective of Swedish aid, Minister Carin Jämtin states, is “to be a predictable partner with values.” Asked to elaborate, she explains, “Predictability means that we live up to our promises…We always condition our aid agreements on values dear to Sweden, like democracy, respect for human rights and the women’s rights, but still reaching poor people.” Sweden is one of the first countries in the world to have a fully integrated policy for global development, which means that “equitable and sustainable development has to be coordinated with all areas of national policy.” It is no coincidence that Sweden enjoys an enviable reputation in many aid receiving countries as a reliable, transparent and generous partner.

Carin Jämtin observes that although Swedish development assistance (SAD) is very high compared to other countries (Sweden is one of the five countries to exceed the UN target of 0.7%), Swedish taxpayers are not prone to “aid fatigue”. On the contrary, “Swedish people want to help to improve the lot of the poor,” she says. “We are proud that our development cooperation is an important part of our foreign policy.”

The minister notes that in 2006 Sweden’s aid budget will reach the UN goal of 1% of GNP, or 28.09 SEK billion. This is a huge sum of money for Sweden, although it may be a small slice the world cake of development assistance. Of this amount, 40% will be spent on multilateral aid, including the EU programs, and the rest on bilateral programs. To reach the poorest Sweden also uses other channels like NGOs, or the UN. Around 10% of the budget is spent on administrative costs.

In terms of geographical distribution, “The main focus is on trying to help the poorest of the world who happen to be in Africa. Poverty is defined not only in the material sense but also in the lack of power, opportunity and security”. Minister Carin Jämtin believes that Sweden’s development aid policy is motivated by a feeling of solidarity towards the world’s poor who deserve to have a better and more decent life. Swedish aid is guided by the moral duty and enlightened self-interest. It conforms to the “fundamental values of democracy and good governance, respect for human rights, gender equality, sustainable development, economic growth, social development and social security, conflict management and human security and global public good.”
Potential aid recipients, says the minister, are selected after taking into account a combination of factors: “Can we make a difference? That means that where we are partners, not many other countries providing the same service. We also assess if the country is focusing on fighting poverty and also prioritizing different sectors like women and children.”

Minister Carin Jämtin explains that Sweden coordinates its global aid policies with other donor’s countries in the OECD, EU and the UN.
In response to a question, our host admits that she is unable to visit all of the recipient countries, “but Sweden has many skilled civil servants. Ambassadors in the field are supervising in dialogue with SIDA.”

The Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (SIDA) is a government agency under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Its head office is in Sweden and its field offices are located in some 50 countries. Over 750 staff members work for SIDA, of whom 172 work in the field at some 50 embassies and section offices.

Projects are evaluated at different stages of their development. The follow up in the bookkeeping accounts is done by the big international firms like Ernest & Young. Regular follow up is done by SIDA or by consultants. “The basic principle that we apply is to support the recipient country’s own development projects. The aim is help increase the options available to the poor people and we try to help create democratic conditions. Sweden has never tried to impose the Swedish model in its aid program.”

We ask her the all important question, does aid work and is that the way to help developing countries? “It is not easy to say yes or no. Development assistance sometimes works. In other cases it does not. It depends also how we manage. Sometime we make mistakes.”

“But yes, it works when the agenda is set by recipient country itself. Our humanitarian aid, for example, often reaches people during catastrophes, and makes a difference.” She gives the example of the tsunami in Southeast Asia and recent earthquake in Pakistan to make the point that Swedish aid does indeed help to mitigate suffering and even to save lives.

CARIN JÄMTIN’S PREFERENCES
She exercises regularly at Friskis and Svettis
She loves basketball and soccer and is a supporter of the “Capitals” basketball team
She is connoisseur of good food and loves spaghetti carbonara
She is reading Coetzee’s Slow Man
Her preferred Swedish writer is Henning Mankell