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Social Research Digest – July 2012

Summary

The report examines long-term aims and impacts of development. It summarises results of four workshops across the UK, explores public attitudes towards aid and development.

Key Findings

• While there is broad public support for UK development efforts, there is also increasing sceptism.
• Government and non-profit organisations must find a new approach to campaigns and communications to retain public supprt.
• While the public broadly supports UK development efforts, a growing number of people support a reduction in aid spending.
• Others believe that “charity should begin at home” and that government refocus efforts to local communities.
• There is also a call to focus on the quality of results rather than the amount of money spent.
• People who represent the middle ground of public opinion do not fully understand the complex realities in developing countries.
• However, individuals want to better understand impacts and how and why development works.
• Development is viewed more favorably than aid since it focuses on long-term change and incorporates local participation.
• Most people felt that governments, NGOs, international institutions and companies all have a role to play in development.
• Recommendations for the UK development community to maintain public support include:
  • communicate how change happens in developing countries in campaigns;
  • understand the impact of communications and campaigns on the wider public;
  • generate greater public involvement;
  • link debates about ‘responsible capitalism’ to challenges faced by developing countries.

Author(s)

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Source

PDF report

Tags: aid, attitudes, development, Institute for Public Policy Research, IPPR, ODI, Overseas Development Institute, public, UK