UK local authorities and international development 2004 survey results analysis By Rosalie Callway UK local authorities and international development 2004 survey results analysis Globalisation affects the communities we live in. Whilst local authorities focus on supporting the needs of those communities, they are also playing an increasingly greater role on the world stage through trade, tourism and investment. Like the UK Local Government Alliance for International Development, many councils know that international development is about more than simply helping poor communities in developing countries. It’s also about recognising the links to challenges on our doorsteps. This booklet sets out the results of a 2004 survey of UK local authorities and their involvement in international development activities. It gives an indication of the level of interest in international work and sets out why councils get involved in projects and partnerships in the developing world. It also highlights the issues that are holding local authorities back from greater involvement internationally. UK Local Government Alliance for International Development c/o Local Government International Bureau Local Government House Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ Tel 020 7664 3102 Fax 020 7664 3128 E-mail [email protected] Internet http://www.lgib.gov.uk/lg-alliance This survey has been has been conducted by the UK Local Government Alliance for International Development as part of its work with the Government’s Department for International Development. The findings will help inform the further work of the Alliance in promoting the importance of international development to local government and local communities across the UK. We would like to thank all the authorities that responded to the survey. England Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Scotland Arun District Council Aberdeen City Council Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Aberdeenshire Council South Derbyshire District Council Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar South Northamptonshire Council Birmingham City Council Dundee City Council Southampton City Council Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council East Ayrshire Council Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Bournemouth Borough Council East Dunbartonshire Council Sunderland City Council Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council East Lothian Council Swindon Borough Council Bristol City Council Falkirk Council Tandridge District Council Chelmsford Borough Council Glasgow City Council Watford Borough Council Chesterfield Borough Council Midlothian Council West Berkshire Council Congleton Borough Council Perth and Kinross Council West Lancashire Cornwall County Council Scottish Borders Council Wolverhampton City Council East Dorset District Council Wyre Forest District Council South Ayrshire Council East Staffordshire Borough Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council Essex County Council Northern Ireland Exeter City Council Armagh City and District Council Forest Heath District Council Ballymena Borough Council Wales Bridgend County Borough Council Gosport Borough Council Banbridge District Council Pembrokeshire County Council Ipswich Borough Council Belfast City Council Swansea, City and County London Borough of Greenwich Coleraine Borough Council Welsh Local Government Association Newark and Sherwood District Council Cookstown District Council Newport City Council Derry County Council North Yorkshire County Council Down District Council Norwich City Council Fermanagh District Council Nottingham County Council Newry and Mourne District Council Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames North Down Borough Council Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Omagh District Council Photos © Daventry District Council, Photos.com and Third Avenue Edited by Graham Welch Design by Banana Design Printed by Contents Background 2 Summary of results 3 Survey results 4 Level of response 4 Awareness and significance 4 Partnerships 6 Education and learning 9 Follow up 9 Comparison to 1997 survey 10 Conclusion 12 Useful contacts 13 Background In the first half of 2004, a survey was strategic partnership with the UK Department carried out of local authorities across for International Development (DFID). The England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and aim of the survey is to provide information Wales to examine the current level of about how many and to what degree local involvement in international development authorities in the UK are currently involved in activities. The survey was conducted by the international development activities. This can UK Local Government Alliance for include actual overseas partnerships and International Development, or the Alliance work with developing countries as well as for short. local community activities in the UK that have a development focus, such as global learning and virtual exchanges. It also seeks The Alliance consists of five national local to assess how many authorities are not government bodies involved in international involved in such activities, to gain a better development activities: the Commonwealth understanding of the factors that are Local Government Forum (CLGF), the preventing authorities from doing so. Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), the Local Government The results provide a baseline, against which International Bureau (LGIB) and the Society future surveys can measure changes in the of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior level of local authority international Managers (SOLACE). development. The aim of the alliance is to "promote local The findings will help inform the future work government and local community of the Alliance and will help ensure that participation in international development resources are better targeted towards the through providing tools and resources to help identified needs and priorities of local local authorities become more actively authorities. The results will also be valuable involved". to help the Alliance make recommendations to DFID about how central government can further support such activities. The survey is the first major activity that the Alliance has carried out as part of its new Daventry has worked with Iganga in Uganda to improve street drainage. The Alliance hopes to boost other local authorities’ international development work 2 | UK local authorities and international development Summary of results The survey results provide a valuable insight General recommendations into local authorities’ interest and Policy and strategy involvement in international development The Local Government Association work. • international development policy International development is important (2002) and the Local Government Over two thirds (68%) of authorities that (Overseas Assistance) Act 1993 need to replied said international development is an be promoted to local authorities; and important area of work. • Greater support is required to assist Domestic benefits developing international policies and Almost nine in ten (87%) indicated they think programmes in individual local there is a cultural benefit to international authorities. activities. Economic and business opportunities were also identified as a key Practice benefit by 81% of respondents. • Local community involvement in establishing overseas partnerships Some international action should be encouraged; Nearly two in five (37%) said that they are • Better targeted information is needed involved in some form of activity with a local regarding funding opportunities, as well authority or community group in a as more funding; and developing country. • Setting up and facilitating networks for Asian interest exchanging good practice is required. There is a strong interest in international links with Asia, with 25% of authorities citing a Raising awareness link in the region - most commonly with • Information resources need to be authorities in China. improved, especially online information, Level of response with case studies etc; Approximately 16% of local authorities in • More authorities need to be encouraged England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and to do global development education Wales responded to the survey. activities; and • Development Education Centres should Lack of international thinking be promoted more effectively to local Nearly three in ten (29%) of respondents are authorities, to support local efforts to aware of the Local Government Association's raise awareness of global issues. policy on international development, and 36% have their own international policy or strategy. Local learning Low international awareness Nearly half (48%) said they are involved in Over half (55%) of local authorities said that global education activities locally. they had never heard of the United Nations However, 40% did not know whether there Millennium Development Goals. was a Development Education Centre in More support needed their area. Sixty percent of authorities fund their own Interest in the future involvement international work, and 87% asked for Three quarters of respondents said they are support and information about funding interested in getting involved in activities opportunities. in the future. UK local authorities and international development | 3 Survey results Level of response Awareness and significance A total of 76 local authorities in England, The LGA International Development Policy Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales 2002 and Local Government (Overseas responded to the survey,