LONDON — A major forthcoming review of international policies is an opportunity for the U.K. to make democracy strengthening “central” to its overseas work, according to the government agency responsible for supporting democratic processes around the world.
The Westminster Foundation for Democracy — described by its chief executive, Anthony Smith, as an independently operating “arm’s length” body of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office — has been making the case for democracy and human rights to be at the heart of the new strategy, with Smith arguing that aid programming has sometimes been at odds with concerns about democratic oversight.
Expected to be published in November, the government’s highly anticipated Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy is expected to guide much of the work of the new FCDO. The role of the United Kingdom’s “values” will likely be a significant feature, with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab already touting a “freedom agenda” for the department’s work.
About the author
William Worley@willrworley
Will Worley is the Climate Correspondent for Devex, covering the intersection of development and climate change. He previously worked as UK Correspondent, reporting on the FCDO and British aid policy during a time of seismic reforms. Will’s extensive reporting on the UK aid cuts saw him shortlisted for ‘Specialist Journalist of the Year’ in 2021 by the British Journalism Awards. He can be reached at william.worley@devex.com.
