How can a phone assist developement?

Although globalisation represents an historic opportunity for developing countries to lift themselves out of poverty through international investment and trade, numerous poor countries still lack the means or capacity to reap the benefits of globalisation and to cope with its challenges.

World class aid
Fighting global poverty is the core objective of Denmark's development policy. Through long-lasting, mutually binding partnerships with prioritised developing countries, Denmark has built a reputation as a reliable and consistent provider of development assistance.

The quality of the Danish development aid has, in fact, been top-ranked in several independent reviews, most recently confirmed by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.

For more than three decades, Denmark's official development aid has exceeded the UN target of 0.7 percent of GDP – and in 2007 reached 0.81 percent - making it one of the world's most generous donors. While the new government has committed to an increase in the next few years.

Values and coherence
Danish development policy is based on a core societal value: a responsibility to support those of lesser means. At the same time, a growing self-interest in providing aid is acknowledged, since trade, communicable diseases, climate change and migration are all global issues related to development.

Denmark, therefore, strives to ensure coherence across policy fields.

Focus on Africa
Denmark supports the efforts made by developing countries to grasp opportunities for development and growth through globalisation. Since Africa is the poorest continent in the world, Denmark directs up to two thirds of its bilateral assistance budgets for Africa.

The Danish priorities align with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be met by 2015 and Denmark has taken on a special role in promoting MDG3: gender equality and the economic empowerment of women.

Focus on partnership
Denmark is at the forefront in pursuing the principles of aid effectiveness, stressing local ownership and division of labour among donors. Furthermore, long-lasting development demands predictable and stable commitments over many years.

To be an effective donor, Denmark focuses on a small number of partner countries and preferred areas of development, including:

• Health
• Education
• Rural development
• Water and sanitation
• Private sector development
• Governance and human rights
• Climate and Environment
• Women/gender equality

To ensure quick, targeted responses to new developments or challenges, Danish aid management is decentralised to the Danish embassies in the developing countries.


Related Case: A dedicated partnership
Denmark has provided Uganda and Kenya with an efficient and innovative assistance for many years.