Study title

The survey charts Finnish opinion on development cooperation. Knowledge and views on the objectives, resources, target countries and policies of Finnish development cooperation were studied. Respondents were asked which geographical area of the world should be the main target of Finnish development aid and why. They also evaluated the importance of development cooperation to Finnish foreign policy. Respondents' own interest in development cooperation was charted. One question covered the main information sources on this issue. Respondents were asked which issues the Finnish government takes up or should take up when discussing with the authorities from developing countries, and which bodies they think decide on Finland's development policy. They were also asked whether they know how much Finland spends on development cooperation annually (as per cent of the GNP and per person) and how much should be spent. The survey carried a set of attitudinal statements relating to the goals of development cooperation (e.g. conflict resolution, poverty reduction, promotion of democracy). Views were probed on whether development aid should increase Finnish exports. Questions covered the United Nations and its developmental activities. Respondent satisfaction with the speed, volume and targets of disaster relief given by the Finnish government was surveyed. Views were probed on the role of voluntary and non-governmental organizations in development aid. Knowledge of the EU's development cooperation, the Lome agreement (between the EU and 71 African and Caribbean countries), and of Finland's share in the EU's development budget were surveyed. Respondents were asked whether development aid should be conditional on political reforms in target countries, like increased democracy, promotion of environmental protection and respect for human rights. Background variables included respondents' age, gender, economic activity, occupational group, household income, type and size of place of...