Norway's international development assistance policy in the current international environment: mechanisms of justification

Abstract

This article addresses the basic mechanisms of Norway's current Development Assistance policy. The author analyses the strengthening of the financial policy and principal mechanisms for justifying Norway's participation in the ODA as well as the country's foreign policy objectives attained through assistance. The article examines specific features of Norway's development policy, which are crucial to understand contemporary international aid practices. The country's development policy implemented bilaterally and multilaterally is an effective mechanism of promoting Norway's economic and political interests. It is also an important subject for research. The authors analyses the evolution of the ODA objectives, its institutions and their international expertise. Special attention is devoted to the current shift of the ODA policy to the issues of its effectiveness. The recent shift to social cooperation development by involving NGOs and private businesses and investing in the social sphere is also examined. The a rticle analyses Norway's official position on humanitarian assistance in crises and armed conflicts. The author examines a number of cases of Norway's International Development Assistance policy.