(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
COMMENT by Erik Solheim
Of course it is not.
Norway and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do not push anyone, and I have sadly repeated that we have a lot to learn from other countries, and that we do it – every day. During my recent trip to South America, which Ny Tid uses as an example, I was clear that a country like Brazil has come much further than Norway in terms of integration and coexistence between ethnic groups. There is also much to learn from Brazil about the protection of forest areas and the relationship between indigenous peoples and the majority population.
But – because there is a but here: Norway has actually succeeded better than other countries in some areas. How over the years we have managed the oil wealth on behalf of the inhabitants of Norway is perhaps the very best example. In this field, there is no reason to be ashamed as a Norwegian.
Then it will be something completely different from mission to offer countries that want it, knowledge and insight into how we have done it with us. Of course, when a country like Bolivia, where a president of the indigenous population has just gained power, comes to us and asks for help to understand how to manage their oil and gas billions for the benefit of the population, we should of course assist as best we can.
Answering and helping someone who asks is not a mission.
We can say exactly the same about the visit to Brazil. We Norwegians may take it for granted that business leaders cooperate with trade unions because it is in everyone's interest to involve workers in the decision-making process. This is not necessarily the case elsewhere in the world.
When the Brazilians want to know more about our tripartite cooperation in Norway – the interaction between business, trade unions and the state – then of course we will tell about it. This is not missionary work, this is to help the business community in Brazil understand how we have solved this with us: That it is better for business owners, companies and society to look at workers and unions as a resource than as enemies. During the visit, we experienced, among other things, that Brazil's response to LO, with seven million members, was very enthusiastic about a collaboration with Norway.
So a little about what Ny Tid claims, namely that we and I spread frightening thoughts that it is "cultures" that are behind war and abuse. Had Herbjørnsrud read what I say a few pages earlier in the same issue, he might not have been so bombastic. There I say that "researchers tend to overestimate historical background and underestimate the conflict contractors." Put another way: guerrilla leaders, dictators and politicians use culture as a raw material for conflict, it is not the culture of a country or area that in itself creates war.
No, we are by no means the chosen people of reason, we Norwegians. But we have achieved something. And we should not be afraid to teach that.
We do not press our thoughts on anyone, but we respond when asked.
Erik Solheim, Minister for Development Aid
