To Empower or To Help? : Analyzing Sida's Conceptualization of "The Local Population"

The relationship between the Global North and the Global South is a complicated one, tainted with guilt, exploitation and the dilemma of if and how to help. Critically analyzing Global North activity in the Global South is of importance in further determining what role Global North actors should have in Global South development. By analyzing how an aid agency such as Sida views local populations in terms of power and hostility, this understanding can increase. By conducting a text analysis from Sida’s Human Rights Based Approach material and how it describes civilians, this essay draws the conclusion that Sida does not perceive the local population as being hostile. The perceived level of power of the local population varies from context to context, but Sida does not appear to consider assistance from the local population as crucial for successful project implementation. In projects regarding market development and health, the civilians are considered as especially passive, while their assistance is more welcome in projects related to research and migration. I posit that this thesis will contribute to the knowledge about development and aid actors’ long-term goals, and whether or not they want to help the local population or enable them to help themselves.