Sweden’s Policy for Global Development: A paper product or a powerful tool?

Abstract: In 2003, the Swedish Policy for Global Development (PGD) was adopted. Through the PGD, Sweden has made a very strong, ambitious and quite unique commitment that all policy areas should comply with the goal of an equitable and sustainable global development. To achieve this, a poor peoples’ perspective on development and a rights perspective should permeate the actions by all actors involved in the fulfillment of the PGD. The aim of this study is to further contribute with empirical data to the field of research regarding the relevance and impact of the PGD on Swedish policies and its implementation. In order to narrow down the field of investigation, the focus has been on trade and migration, as they are two policy areas identified by the Swedish government as crucial for combating poverty and areas in which Swedish policies can have an impact on global development. The research has been realized through interviews with administrative officials at the Government Offices working with the PGD, in general as well as in the areas of trade and migration. To complement these discussions, interviews with experts from civil society have also been conducted. Together with secondary material in the form of reports on Swedish and EU performance, the interviews form the base of the study. The research takes it standpoint in a theoretical framework of policy coherence for development. The results indicate that there are positive progresses in terms of greater institutionalization of the PGD and an increased awareness on the importance of development issues across the areas of migration and trade as well as on a general basis. However, great challenges still remain in strengthening the institutional structures, political commitment and analytical capacity in order for the PGD to truly achieve its value as a guiding principle across all Swedish policy areas. A continuous dialogue on what constitutes development and how to best achieve it is furthermore required.