Economic justice

While Norway regularly figures at the top of the UN Human Development Index, African countries occupy 28 of the bottom 30 positions on the list. Economic justice is nonexistent in a world where random and historical factors have helped to ensure that a small proportion of the world’s population is in control of most of its resources. Under the motto Together for a just world, Norwegian Church Aid works to change this situation.

Unfair trade rules

Trade is crucial for development. The question is not whether we should engage in trade or not, but how trade should be conducted.

However, current trade rules are unfair because they favour the rich countries, and these countries dominate the World Trade Organization (WTO) which decides how countries should trade among themselves. And – the WTO leaves the developing countries without a foothold.

Norwegian Church Aid believes that a more just system of trade is necessary, one that should not allow the strongest players to continue to dominate the exchange between rich and poor countries.

Read more about our policy on international trade here.

Corporate responsibility

Favourable rules for investment and industrial development are crucial for economic growth and the eradication of poverty. A well-functioning business community is a precondition for healthy economic growth. In short, this concerns the way in which businesses earn their money. In the effort to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, it is essential also to focus on the obligations of the business community, and not only on its rights.

Norwegian Church Aid therefore believes that a global set of regulations on the social responsibilities of enterprises is required, in which enterprises are committed to respect basic human rights in their operations.

Read more about our policy on corporate social responsibility here.

The illegitimate burden of debt

Between 1980 and 2002, developing countries repaid more than USD 5,000 billion in interest and instalments on loans made by Western countries. This equals approximately twice the amount given by Western countries in development aid over the last fifty years.

This money could have been spent on health, education and other important areas in developing countries. Many of the loans were given to undemocratic regimes and irresponsible projects. In many cases, the local population has never benefited from these loans. Writing off illegitimate and unpayable debts can make a huge difference in the struggle for economic justice.

Read more about our policy on debt and conditionality here.