Short Abstract

This roundtable explores how public values shape support for overseas aid amid global instability & the implications for development communications. Using data from the UK, US, France & Germany, it compares Ireland's uniquely stable, values-driven support for aid despite rising global tensions.

Description

In what may be seen as a new dawn for international development, or at least a significant departure from previous years of steady growth in OECD DAC contributions, it’s critical to examine evolving trends in donor countries and their populations. Amid rising geopolitical instability, shifting power dynamics, and increased scrutiny of ODA, how do national sentiments and values shape public support for development cooperation?

This roundtable brings together researchers and experts to explore the relationship between public opinion, national identity, and international development. Ireland will serve as a central case study, an outlier from the trend of deep aid cuts seen in other OECD DAC countries.

The session will begin with a comparative overview of public support for ODA across Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, and the US, including responses to recent global crises. It will then focus on the Irish context, drawing on six years of Worldview research, which reveals a consistent values-based foundation in support for aid.

While many donor countries face growing aid fatigue and domestic pressures, Irish sentiment remains strikingly resilient, even though house prices, household bills, and a lack of health service support are seen as the three pressing issues for the country today.

As development institutions navigate this evolving landscape, the role of public support and values, and the narratives that sustain them, will be critical to building future-proof communication strategies. The discussion will reflect on how evolving public opinion and perception in different countries will mean for the future of international development cooperation.