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Social Democrat defends criticized aid fund as ‘small change’ in the bigger picture
🇩🇰 Denmark /Economy & Trade

Social Democrat defends criticized aid fund as ‘small change’ in the bigger picture

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Danish development aid has funded projects involving topics such as India’s third gender, student activism and a documentary about a UN communications officer.
  • Conservative politicians have criticized the projects as wasteful and politically partisan.
  • Social Democrat spokesperson Thomas Skriver Jensen defended the funding, saying the education and engagement pool represents a small share of Denmark’s overall aid budget.

A Danish Social Democrat lawmaker has dismissed criticism of development-aid projects highlighted by Berlingske, calling the money spent on public education “small change” in the wider budget.

I think it is entirely appropriate. But of course, most of the money should be used where it helps in a local area.

— Thomas Skriver JensenThe Social Democrat spokesperson defended public education within development aid while saying most funding should support local areas.

The projects under scrutiny include teaching older school students to act as activists, lessons on “norm criticism” and India’s third gender, and a documentary about a UN communications officer. Conservative politicians have described such initiatives as wasteful use of taxpayers’ money and ideological education that fails to remain neutral.

Thomas Skriver Jensen, the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on immigration and integration, defended the projects. “I think it is entirely appropriate. But of course, most of the money should be used where it helps in a local area,” he said. He argued that public education forms an important part of development work in Denmark.

In the big picture, it is small change that goes to information.

— Thomas Skriver JensenHe described the information fund as a minor part of Denmark’s overall development-aid budget.

Denmark spends about 18 billion kroner a year on development aid. Around 21 million kroner goes annually to an information and engagement fund run under the Foreign Ministry, which has helped finance more than 200 projects since 2022.

It is not neutral information. It is taxpayer-funded political activism disguised as development aid.

— Katrine DaugaardThe Liberal Alliance politician criticized a project intended to strengthen the Palestinian narrative.

Critics say the fund supports taxpayer-financed activism. Liberal Alliance culture spokesperson Katrine Daugaard made that accusation about a project intended to strengthen the Palestinian narrative, while Danmarksdemokraterne finance spokesperson Dennis Flydtkjær called the documentary “Power Cuts” a waste of money. Skriver Jensen argued that explaining development aid helps protect broader support for it, especially when political parties seek cuts.

It is a waste of money. It is a communications officer, and nobody gets more help because a video is made with her.

— Dennis FlydtkjærThe Danmarksdemokraterne finance spokesperson criticized funding for the documentary “Power Cuts.”
About this summary

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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