ABSTRACT
Nordic and Scandinavian international engagement is often studied from a state-focused angle, and this goes particularly for studies of the countries’ development cooperation efforts. Such an approach is sensible, as state development agencies such as Norad, Sida, and Danida have been at the centre of Scandinavian development cooperation efforts. As such, they operate from premises drawn from Nordic politics and culture, as well as joint Nordic development efforts. At the same time, in Nordic international engagement, several associations and organizations have acted in a range of capacities over time: as knowledge providers, trendsetters, practitioners, lobbyists, and support groups, and as means to access larger international networks. This chapter presents an alternative to the often-dominant state-centred focus by looking beyond the state as an actor, and tracing early Scandinavian international cooperation carried out by civil society actors, on behalf of the states. Specifically, the chapter studies the Scandinavian Red Cross societies’ efforts in Korea, in the period 1951–71.
