On 9 May the Scottish Government released its new Global Affairs Framework. One week later, the UK Government released its new International Development Strategy.
We lay out some analysis and comparison between the two publications and offer some thoughts on what the this means for the future of global development policy in Scotland and the UK.
Let’s be clear; these two publications are different in scope, scale and emphasis. Yet, there are a few common threads; both seek to ensure the SDGs and net-zero targets are met; both see the empowerment of women and girls as key to social and economic transformation; and both fail to fully grasp a fundamental truism in a global world: the link between domestic objectives and global outcomes. Above all, both documents lack the finer detail on how to achieve their respective global commitments in practice.
On framing: national interest or global solidarity?
When it comes to framing, these two documents diverge quickly, with the dominant politics at Westminster and Holyrood driving distinctive narratives.
The Scottish Government’s Global Affairs Framework (GAF) puts ‘good global citizenship’ at the core of its approach with a stated desire to ‘learn from the past’ and ‘listen and act in response to the often-unheard voices – especially those of women and young people, and from the Global South’. There is no detail setting out how their international work will go about this in practice.
The UK Government‘s International Development Strategy (IDS), however, aims to ‘deliver for people in the UK’ (p8) as well as people elsewhere. It broadly uses language that promotes British interests, expertise and investment, a framing perhaps aimed more at British voters than global partners.
The IDS does commit to spending the majority of ODA in low-income countries and to spend 0.2% of GNI on the Least Developed Countries, but references to alleviating poverty, reducing inequality and “leaving no one behind” are largely absent. Instead, commitments on trade and investment dominate, indicating a steadfast commitment to “trickle-down” economics.
On climate and the environment
Commitments on climate and the environment feature prominently in both publications, which is welcome. However, the emphasis on private finance and green infrastructure in the IDS seem to eclipse the need to focus support on the poorest countries.
In contrast, the Scottish Government’s GAF acknowledges the historical legacy that has contributed to the climate crisis and recognises the need for climate justice. This is very welcome. But let’s be clear, that acknowledgement is not backed up by enough joined-up action, given Scotland has failed to meet its own legally binding emissions targets for the last three years in a row. More must also be done to ensure global environmental considerations become part and parcel of all decision making.
On Gender equality
Both governments acknowledge the transformative role that gender equality can play, again something we welcome. The Scottish Government goes further in committing to a feminist approach in all its global affairs. It would be commendable if that feminist approach could be clearly defined in consultation with feminist groups in Scotland, in partner countries and around the world. The Alliance will argue for that to happen.
The UK Government commits to getting girls back to school and “providing women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed” but fails to acknowledge that discriminatory socio-economic inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Higher numbers of girls have dropped out of school in many countries of the world: building new schools will not solve the underlying poverty that has led to this catastrophe. A more holistic approach that recognises the multiple dimensions of poverty and intersecting discrimination is required.
On joined up action, trade and investment
It is clear huge investment is required to meet global challenges, and to a degree, both publications acknowledge that global sustainable development depends on this. Yet, both fail to outline how this can be achieved.
The UK Government commitment to bolstering investment suggests the use of UK “capital markets, investment and growth expertise” will bring about better outcomes for people in low- and middle-income countries. However, it is not clear how this will reduce inequalities or serve the needs of farmers, producers and workers around the world.
The Scottish Government emphasises its commitment to Fair Trade and makes a point of referencing its 2021 Vision for Trade as an example of policy coherence. Even though this is a start to acknowledging that global sustainable development depends on a more joined up approach at home and abroad, the depth of their commitment to genuine fair and responsible trade remains questionable.
Overall, the stated ambition to align domestic policy objectives and activity with international development objectives comes across strongly from the Scottish Government, while the claim of a “whole of government approach to international development” in the IDS is less convincing, as it fails to resolve the fundamental incoherence between the UK’s domestic agenda and the underlying principles of global, sustainable development. For both governments the proof of these commitments will be in the manner of delivery.
What comes next?
Scotland has shown that there is scope for small country leadership in global affairs with the imaginative announcement of a Loss and Damage fund at COP26. The Alliance would like to see that type of leadership translated elsewhere in the implementation of its Global Affairs Framework, not least within a new, joined-up global development strategy, something we argue for in this draft consultation paper.
It must build on the recognition of historic injustice and thereby ensure the participation of those most affected in decisions (beyond amplifying voices). It should show the way on explicitly linking the impact of policies at home on communities elsewhere in the world and act to ensure positive impact in a spirit of global solidarity. It should recognise that GDP cannot fully measure the wellbeing of people or planet and that we need to find alternatives.
This connection between domestic and global issues is the key factor in committing to a bold, progressive stance on decolonisation, and one that the Alliance would encourage the Scottish Government to make in every aspect of their external affairs.