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Solidarity in international development aid : Examples from the Covid-19 pandemic

Irwin, Rachel LU orcid (2026) In Socialmedicinsk tidskrift 103(1-2). p.83-93
Abstract
Although it is a fundamental concept in global health and development, soli-darity is surprisingly hard to capture. This essay first discusses characteris-tics of solidarity, including perceived and real tensions between self-interest and solidarity in international aid. In doing so, it draws upon illustrative ex-amples from Sweden’s aid history, as well as international vaccine solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic. It then discusses solidarity within the context of current shifts in Swedish aid and the broader international aid system. Many traditional donors are cutting back on aid and shifting to defence spen-ding, while the US has withdrawn from the Word Health Organization (WHO) and has dismantled its aid... (More)
Although it is a fundamental concept in global health and development, soli-darity is surprisingly hard to capture. This essay first discusses characteris-tics of solidarity, including perceived and real tensions between self-interest and solidarity in international aid. In doing so, it draws upon illustrative ex-amples from Sweden’s aid history, as well as international vaccine solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic. It then discusses solidarity within the context of current shifts in Swedish aid and the broader international aid system. Many traditional donors are cutting back on aid and shifting to defence spen-ding, while the US has withdrawn from the Word Health Organization (WHO) and has dismantled its aid infrastructure. Within this context, this essay ex-plores the extent to which solidarity remains relevant as a motive for aid. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
solidaritet, Covid-19, utvecklingsarbete, Sverige
in
Socialmedicinsk tidskrift
volume
103
issue
1-2
pages
11 pages
publisher
Stiftelsen Socialmedicinsk tidskrift
ISSN
0037-833X
DOI
10.62607/smt.v103i1-2.64984
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7e8a49af-2d01-4e84-a02d-c44961488254
date added to LUP
2026-05-18 14:13:38
date last changed
2026-05-28 10:22:48
@article{7e8a49af-2d01-4e84-a02d-c44961488254,
  abstract     = {{Although it is a fundamental concept in global health and development, soli-darity is surprisingly hard to capture. This essay first discusses characteris-tics of solidarity, including perceived and real tensions between self-interest and solidarity in international aid. In doing so, it draws upon illustrative ex-amples from Sweden’s aid history, as well as international vaccine solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic. It then discusses solidarity within the context of  current  shifts  in  Swedish  aid  and  the  broader  international  aid  system.  Many traditional donors are cutting back on aid and shifting to defence spen-ding, while the US has withdrawn from the Word Health Organization (WHO) and has dismantled its aid infrastructure. Within this context, this essay ex-plores the extent to which solidarity remains relevant as a motive for aid.}},
  author       = {{Irwin, Rachel}},
  issn         = {{0037-833X}},
  keywords     = {{solidaritet; Covid-19; utvecklingsarbete; Sverige}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1-2}},
  pages        = {{83--93}},
  publisher    = {{Stiftelsen Socialmedicinsk tidskrift}},
  series       = {{Socialmedicinsk tidskrift}},
  title        = {{Solidarity in international development aid : Examples from the Covid-19 pandemic}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.62607/smt.v103i1-2.64984}},
  doi          = {{10.62607/smt.v103i1-2.64984}},
  volume       = {{103}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}