prop · H103131en · 2014-03-18 00:00:00 — These challenges also mean that increased agricultural production alone will not be sufficient to combat hunger and malnutrition. Swedish aid must therefore also contribute towards ensuring that increased food production reaches those who are hungry. Because a large proportion of the people living in poverty live in rural areas and are economically in agriculture, forestry and fishing, investments in rural areas and in these sectors are also of major importance for broader economic development. The assistance provided by Swedish aid to such investments may thereby be very effective for creating growth that reduces poverty. Swedish aid must facilitate investment for a sustainable increase in production and productivity in agriculture and forestry and for sustainable fishing. and development as well as training and capacity in the sector 2013/14:131 are of great importance for food security. must also promote the use of clear guidelines and principles for responsible and sustainable investments that safeguard food security. In this way, investments will be better able to contribute towards broader economic development and food security without marginalising or unfairly treating vulnerable groups or local populations. 5.2.6 High-quality research relevant to the fight against poverty High-quality research is important for countries education and research systems and enables research collaborations in which researchers from partner countries increasingly gain an opportunity to work internationally in high-quality research. Research results can also be effective tools for poverty reduction, and for economic growth, innovation, democratisation and gender equality. The majority of poor countries have insufficient production of their own research-based knowledge, including research related to needs and problems specific to that country. Swedish aid must therefore support the development of poor countries research capacity and research policy. Aid must be designed such that poor countries gain an opportunity to carry out high-quality scientific research in the countries and regions that must themselves tackle the problems and challenges in question. includes increasing the ability and the capacity of partner countries and regional research actors to establish and maintain sustainable structures and institutions for higher education, postgraduate education and research in scientifically strong research environments; participating in international research partnerships on equal terms; and safeguarding the values of research ethics, scientific independence and good scientific Swedish aid must also contribute to increasing opportunities to finance research through national and regional research councils. aid must also contribute to strengthening the ability of countries to identify problem areas for research, formulate and implement research strategies, and publicise and spread research in which scientific quality has been assured. wide-ranging experiences of up research capacity in low-income countries and of research collaboration with these countries must be exploited. To support research of relevance to the fight against poverty, Swedish aid must also contribute towards research, research collaboration and research networks at regional and international level, in which Swedish universities and researchers are also able to participate, and towards research results being made available to researchers and decision-makers in partner countries. Support for high-quality research can also promote the development of innovation systems in which collaboration between researchers, the business sector and society in general is reinforced, thereby increasing the opportunities to use research as a means of and a catalyst for development. Research support must also promote and improve access to Swedish expertise in development research to enable to contribute high-quality capacity and research partnerships in the long term. knowledge is also an important basis for making well-informed decisions in Swedish aid as a Comm. 2013/14:131 whole. Synergies between these different research-oriented operations in aid, and between research support and other aid, must be exploited. 5.2.7Improved access to social protection Social protection is a human right and a tool for ensuring that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Social protection contributes towards greater participation in the workforce in poor countries, so helping to reduce and prevent poverty, inequality, social exclusion and human vulnerability. It is particularly important for children, women and vulnerable groups. Furthermore, social protection is an investment in people that gives them opportunities to adapt to changed economic conditions and changes in the job market. Sustainable social protection systems contribute towards the transition to formal work, and investments in social protection systems facilitate greater productivity. Basic social protection thus plays a crucial role in economic and social development. The Government considers that support for developing and expanding basic social protection in countries in which it is deficient or lacking altogether is an effective way of contributing towards economic and social development and giving people better opportunities to shape their own lives. 5.2.8Improved access to open and secure ICT Global digitalisation contributes towards economic growth and gives people living in poverty access to information, knowledge and opportunities to influence the situation themselves. Access to an open and free internet plays an important role in creating economic growth, contributing towards the development of open, innovative and resilient social structures. The broader use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) plays an increasingly important role in entrepreneurship, research, job creation and combatting poverty. At the same time, large proportions of the global population remain excluded from the global information society. Swedish aid must help to reduce the digital divide by improving the access to and use of open and secure ICTs for people living in poverty – especially women and young people. It must contribute to boosting the capacity of low and middle-income countries in terms of infrastructure, institutions and security in the field of ICTs. 5.2.9Greater capacity to tackle the opportunities and challenges brought about by migration and mobility For many families in low and middle-income countries, migration is an opportunity to increase the income of the whole family through the migrant sending home money, known as remittances. 2013/14:131 enable investments in education, health and housing. While migration can mean a brain drain from sectors central to society, such as health and education, circular migration contributes towards expertise being fed back. Womens opportunities to obtain gainful employment can increase through migration, both within the original country and outside its borders. The migration experience can also strengthen womens autonomy, particularly when it brings greater economic opportunities or education. To make the most of the dynamic force of migration, Swedish aid must help to strengthen the capacity of low and middle-income countries and of individuals to benefit from the opportunities of migration and handle the challenges that migration and mobility bring with them. It is particularly important to help to ensure that the expertise of returning migrants is made use of and to boost the capacity of diaspora groups to act as a for trade and investment. 5.3Sub-objective 3: A better environment, limited climate impact and greater resilience to environmental impact, climate change and natural disasters The Governments assessment: The following results are particularly important for achieving the sub-objective A better environment, limited climate impact and greater resilience to environmental impact, climate change and natural disasters: -Greater resilience to environmental impact, climate change and natural disasters, and a reduced environment and climate impact -Strengthened institutional capacity in environmental management and environmental institutions -Improved access to sustainable energy sources -Sustainable management of ecosystems and sustainable use of ecosystem services Contributing towards good environmental conditions, the sustainable use of natural resources, limited climate impact and greater resilience to climate change and natural disasters increases the opportunities for longterm sustainable development and thereby of achieving the overarching objective of Swedish aid. Development that is sustainable in terms of the environment and climate also helps to meet the needs people living in poverty have for food, energy, clean water, good sanitation and clean air. Changes in the environment and the climate have the greatest impact on people in poverty, people whose resilience to such changes is very weak. People living in poverty in slums or in remote rural areas are particularly vulnerable, and women and children are often the hardest hit. Furthermore, the effects of climate change increase the vulnerability of people living in poverty and are already affecting their development potential and livelihoods today. To avoid dangerous climate change, all countries and societies need to Comm. 2013/14:131 switch to carbon-efficient, sustainable economic development that simultaneously promotes development opportunities and the fight against poverty. For this reason, should encourage the use of economic instruments that promote both investment in energy-efficient and green technology by the public and the private sector, and sustainable consumption and production patterns. International tools and mechanisms need to be further developed to be effective and to be able to tackle global environmental problems, climate change, natural disasters and, not least, their impact on the living conditions of people living in poverty and poor countries. Here knowledge based on research and science plays an important role. Weak institutions, ineffective legislation, unclear accountability, corruption, a lack of public access and participation, breaches of laws and other regulations, as well as a lack of transparency, accountability, embedded support and knowledge further exacerbate the situation. This leads to a lack of implementation of and compliance with measures to protect people and the environment. The absence of efficient management systems and resources has led, among other things, to the undermining of important ecosystem services and an inability to guarantee access to important natural resources and biological diversity. 5.3.1 Greater resilience to environmental impact, climate change and natural disasters, and a reduced environment and climate impact The climate problem needs to be tackled from several different Preventive measures are required in the form of emission limits, adaptation and disaster risk reduction. will see future damage reduced or completely eradicated, and thereby a reduced need for adaptation measures. Here Swedish aid can play an Adaptation measures are required in areas such as water supply, fishing, agriculture and forestry, health, infrastructure, energy, industry and urban development. Measures that reduce the risk of disasters must be put in place to reduce the negative effects of natural disasters on human life, social structures and the environment. must be implemented under the leadership of national and local authorities, with local organisations, private businesses and civil society organisations as important actors. act to strengthen partner countries ownership and encourage the integration of environmental and climate aspects, including disaster risk reduction, into their frameworks for development planning and monitoring, as well as into poverty reduction strategies, national budgets and statistics. An important starting point in designing Swedish aid initiatives is a thorough consideration of development potential versus the risks of negative environmental impact. To achieve results, Swedish aid must be focused on preventive measures and greater resilience on the part of people as well as societies, to serious adverse effects of natural disasters, including environmental and climate-related disasters. Consideration must also be given to the 2013/14:131 environmental and climate aspects in a short-term and a long-term perspective. In line with international principles, a disaster risk reduction approach must be applied in designing aid, and disaster risk reduction initiatives must be prioritised and seen as an integrated part of long-term aid, as a complement to humanitarian aid. The funding requirements are significant and increasing, not least regarding funding for adapting to the effects of climate change. should therefore support different risk reduction instruments, e.g. in the form of guarantees. 5.3.2Strengthened institutional capacity in environmental management By cooperating with different actors, support capacity , including the development of legislation and tools for monitoring, supervision and enforcement within institutions and among democratically elected assemblies and political actors. The capacity of different actors for national cooperation must be strengthened. This must be done with respect for local knowledge. Initiatives must support and encourage countries abilities to live up to the goals of multilateral agreements, such as the environmental conventions. Strengthened institutional capacity can also contribute towards greater resilience to climate change, environmental impact and natural disasters. promote integrated water resources management that contributes to people in poverty and marginalised groups being able to participate and hold the authorities to account in planning, decisionmaking and implementation. This applies in particular to women, who often play a central role in water supply at the local level and for household needs. Shared management of cross-border water resources, is particularly important, and can promote regional integration, so contributing towards less tension and conflict. Furthermore, should contribute towards climate aspects being included in social planning and water resource issues in national adaptation programmes. Adaptation to the EUs environmental standards involves important but often expensive requirements for those countries wishing to forge closer ties with the EU. However, investments offer major environmental gains and so contribute in several ways to improvements, including energy efficiency. must also strengthen countries ability to phase out and deal with hazardous substances and other dangerous chemicals. This will improve peoples health and protect ecosystem services. contribute to strengthening the economic development, risk management and poverty reduction of cities. This can be achieved by promoting efficient and green resource use as well as new technology, recycling, safe chemicals management and resource-efficient use of water, and by strengthened capacity for integrated urban planning and Comm. 2013/14:131 sustainable urban development based on the needs and participation of poor urban populations and with the involvement of the business sector. 5.3.4Improved access to sustainable energy sources will seek to ensure that people living in poverty gain greater access to energy. As part of this, will also strive to increase the proportion of renewable energy in countries energy systems and increase energy efficiency and the use of technology that reduces carbon dioxide emissions. should also encourage a policy dialogue with partner countries that seeks to reduce any subsidies of fossil fuels. Aid should be designed so as to enhance the capability and capacity of countries to utilise the means and opportunities made available to them, including financial resources, technology transfer and environmental investments, to promote sustainable economic development and poverty reduction. 5.3.5Sustainable management of ecosystems and sustainable use of ecosystem services The worlds ecosystems and their services, such as clean water, food and energy, must be protected. Resilient ecosystems and biodiversity preserve future development opportunities and combat and mitigate natural disasters such as floods, land degradation and drought. To secure ecosystem services in the long term, initiatives geared towards the underlying causes of their depletion are important. The opportunities of people living in poverty to sustainably make use of natural resources, e.g. water (including sea and fishing resources) land and biodiversity, must be reinforced. must also support development towards more productive and resource efficient agriculture, forestry and fishing systems. This will contribute to the sustainable use of ecosystem services, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce deforestation, improve incomes, increase employment and improve the health of rural populations. The sea and many freshwater resources cross national boundaries. Management is often far too weak. Rules and institutions need to be established and strengthened in collaboration with national and regional actors. The ownership and rights of use to land, sea and water resources of those involved in farming, forestry and fishing, especially women, shall be supported. This can be achieved by supporting tougher legislation and its application. also contribute to regional cooperation on the management, protection and sustainable use of sea and freshwater resources, 2013/14:131 5.4 Sub-objective 4: Improved basic health The Governments assessment: The following results are particularly important for achieving the sub-objective Improved basic health: -Improved access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and reduced vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. -Improved survival and healthier lives, with a focus on for women and children -Improved access to clean water and basic sanitation Good health is a fundamental prerequisite for peoples opportunities to achieve their full potential and to reduce poverty. Investments in health enable greater productivity and are an investment in the development of society as a whole. In addition, having the best possible health, including necessary health care, food, water, clean air, sanitation, hygiene and medicines, is a human right. Improved health is also a result of work under other sub-objectives. The right to decide and exercise control over ones own body, sexuality and reproduction is fundamental for all people. Previous ground gained for womens and girls rights is encountering resistance, however – not least in terms of their autonomy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and full enjoyment of human rights. HIV and AIDS continue to constitute major challenges. Complications in conjunction with pregnancy and childbirth are still the most common cause of death among girls aged 15–19 in countries where aid operates. There are still major deficiencies in terms of access to essential health care for women and children. Child mortality and maternal mortality remain high in many low-income countries. Access to and the quality of primary health care and maternal health care need to be improved. Access to well-trained staff, medicines and vaccines, and adequate financing are crucial factors in the development of health systems that are sustainable in the long-term. Ill-health of people living in poverty also derives from the fact that they live with poor hygiene and insufficient access to important factors such as nutritious food, clean water, clean air, good sanitation, and good education, and the fact that they live in environments where violence is common and the risk of injury is high. Emissions hazardous to health such as those caused by exposure to open fires and traditional cook stoves risk causing ill-health and death. This often affects children and women to a particularly high extent. There are also marked inequalities within individual countries regarding peoples health. Poor access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities is a major problem with many negative consequences, particularly for womens health, education, family relationships and time. Children who do not have access to clean water and good sanitation are more frequently ill, which has an impact on their school attendance. Being unable to safely visit the toilet is not only a serious health risk, but also humiliating and a breach of privacy. For women and girls in particular, not having access to good sanitation facilities is a major problem. The greatest vulnerabilities, the worst levels of ill-health and the Comm. 2013/14:131 greatest needs are often found in countries affected by conflict. mortality continues to be high. In these countries there are clear links between long-term health aid and humanitarian assistance focused on health aspects. Swedish engagements in the field of health shall be designed so that they contribute towards more effective health systems that deliver effective and integrated health care, clearly prioritising the most vulnerable people. 5.4.1Improved access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and reduced vulnerability to HIV and AIDS The primary point of departure for work to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is comprised of international agreements and commitments, e.g. those contained in the declarations and action programmes from the on Population and Development in in 1994, and the on Women in in 1995. Priority is to be given to increasing womens, mens and young peoples access to information and education about sex and relationships, safe and legal abortions, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV and AIDS. peoples needs and perspectives must be highlighted, as must work on primary prevention and behaviour issues. In many places in the world, above all in poor parts of the world, the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) persons are infringed upon. Improving this situation is a priority for . Many of the worlds maternal deaths can be prevented and womens lives can be saved. Swedish aid shall be focused on increasing access to trained staff, particularly midwives; on adequate maternal care in conjunction with pregnancy and labour; and on improving womens access to contraception and safe, legal abortions. The government recognises that a long-term and broad approach is necessary to slow the spread of HIV. Effective initiatives to prevent HIV, increase access to antiretroviral drugs and alleviate the long-term effects demand that measures are adapted to the local context and to the conditions of the specific target group. Overall this work shall be characterised by the requirement of greater respect for human rights and increased gender equality. This is partly to reduce the incidence of stigmatisation and discrimination. Predominantly, the work must be focused on promoting greater rights and better conditions and opportunities for women and girls and young people, while also highlighting the perspective, needs and responsibilities of boys and men. 2013/14:131 5.4.2 Improved survival and healthier lives primarily for women and children Greater access to equitable essential health care with a particular focus on those with the greatest needs is crucial. Access to rapid diagnosis, vaccines and drugs, as well as the rational use of antibiotics is central to long-term work on improved survival and healthy lives. Similarly, it is appropriate to contribute towards a lower incidence of and death from illnesses such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and to reduced exposure to hazardous substances.