Preferred Futures of Development Cooperation for Finland in 2040
Ranaweera, Lahara (2025-06-09)
Preferred Futures of Development Cooperation for Finland in 2040
(09.06.2025)
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
avoin
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025063075746
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025063075746
Tiivistelmä
Even with a global commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, progress has been uneven and is disturbingly off track. Central to this global agenda is the 17th SDG, calling for collaborative efforts to support the implementation of all development goals, ensuring that no one falls behind in realising a sustainable future for all people and the planet. Despite this crucial call, rising geopolitical tensions, worsening climate change, and a shifting world order have changed the priorities and direction of development cooperation, raising concerns about the future of such global cooperation. The persistent inequalities in today’s society further demonstrate the inadequacies of traditional development models based on aid, suggesting that development cooperation must evolve beyond aid to foster just and equitable futures. This study, therefore, explores the alternative futures of development cooperation through pluriversal pathways. Focused on the context of Finland, it examines how development experts perceive desirable futures of development cooperation for 2040 and uncovers the values underpinning the preferred futures. By creating the preferred images of the future, the thesis aims to instil hope and optimism among development stakeholders, and by revealing the values that can drive transformation towards these futures, the thesis inspires action amid paradigm shifts that undermine faith in cooperation.
Grounded in the epistemological foundations of critical theory, the study questions the dominant paradigms and prevailing structures of development while recognising the multiple ways of understanding development. The conceptual framework is constructed through a review of mainstream development narratives and an exploration of alternative initiatives for development beyond aid. Janus et al.’s (2014) Beyond Aid model is employed to examine the transformation of cooperation. The study adopts a qualitative approach. Data gathered through semi-structured interviews with researchers, public officials, and civil society actors in development is analysed using Causal Layered Analysis. It deconstructs present realities by moving beyond the surface level and reconstructs transformative futures by reimagining alternative narratives through values.
The study produced four images of the future. The first image, ‘Web of we’, advocates for global solidarity, acknowledging the fragile interdependence of global systems. Second, ‘Fair flow’ pursues cooperation through ethical economies and reciprocal trade. Third, ‘Pluritopia’ embraces diversity and celebrates pluralistic and locally grounded development approaches. Fourth, ‘Seeds of rising equity’ upholds just and equitable cooperation rooted in shared responsibility. These images embody noble values like goodwill, mutual care, compassion, respect, and dignity.
The results offer both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the study confirms the insufficiency of dominant development frameworks and highlights the necessity for epistemological plurality. It further suggests incorporating value as the normative foundation of the Beyond Aid model. The research illustrates the potential of CLA to decolonise dominant narratives and create radical futures inspiring present action. Practically, the results indicate the pressing need to review current development policies and revisit the established structures, calling for value-driven transformative initiatives.
Grounded in the epistemological foundations of critical theory, the study questions the dominant paradigms and prevailing structures of development while recognising the multiple ways of understanding development. The conceptual framework is constructed through a review of mainstream development narratives and an exploration of alternative initiatives for development beyond aid. Janus et al.’s (2014) Beyond Aid model is employed to examine the transformation of cooperation. The study adopts a qualitative approach. Data gathered through semi-structured interviews with researchers, public officials, and civil society actors in development is analysed using Causal Layered Analysis. It deconstructs present realities by moving beyond the surface level and reconstructs transformative futures by reimagining alternative narratives through values.
The study produced four images of the future. The first image, ‘Web of we’, advocates for global solidarity, acknowledging the fragile interdependence of global systems. Second, ‘Fair flow’ pursues cooperation through ethical economies and reciprocal trade. Third, ‘Pluritopia’ embraces diversity and celebrates pluralistic and locally grounded development approaches. Fourth, ‘Seeds of rising equity’ upholds just and equitable cooperation rooted in shared responsibility. These images embody noble values like goodwill, mutual care, compassion, respect, and dignity.
The results offer both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the study confirms the insufficiency of dominant development frameworks and highlights the necessity for epistemological plurality. It further suggests incorporating value as the normative foundation of the Beyond Aid model. The research illustrates the potential of CLA to decolonise dominant narratives and create radical futures inspiring present action. Practically, the results indicate the pressing need to review current development policies and revisit the established structures, calling for value-driven transformative initiatives.