Several actors draw attention to the role of culture for sustainable development

Culture is conspicuous by its absence in Agenda 2030 and the global goals. Several actors in the cultural sector have therefore started the #culture2030goal campaign, to include an eighteenth culture-focused goal in Agenda 2030. "Culture has the ability to change our way of thinking," says Natalie Giorgadze at Culture Action Europe. Photo: Natalie Giorgadze/UN Women. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

Agenda 2030 is the international community's joint action plan to lead and lift the transition towards a more sustainable future. All UN members signed the agenda in 2015 and thereby established that the work for sustainable development requires efforts in several sectors. But one sector seems to be missing: culture.

May 23, 2023, Interview

After the World Heritage classification: Bedouins have been forcibly relocated from Petra

Since the archaeological site of Petra in Jordan was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Bedouins have had to leave the site and move to Uum Sayhoun – a small village where many houses lack electricity and water. The majority of the Bedouins, however, make a living from tourism around Petra. Photo: Johannes Lindh.

Of: Johannes Lindh

One night, the Bedouins in Petra in Jordan wake up to find that they are to be moved without warning. Out of their caves where they lived for several hundred years to a hastily constructed village that will not accommodate everyoneput together. Petra has rated that one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, ma hhow are the indigenous people treated when their homes become a tourist attraction? 

May 17, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

Indigenous peoples camp outside the presidential palace in Argentina - demand dialogue on land

Félix Díaz, president of the Consultative and Participatory Council of Indigenous Peoples of Argentina (CCPPIRA) and leader of the Qom indigenous people, has been camping outside the presidential palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. He wants the indigenous people's right to land and dialogue with the state to be respected, but according to Félix Díaz, the politicians do not respond to attempts to talk. Photo: Vilma Ellemark.

Of: Vilma Ellemark

The indigenous Qom people have camped outside the Argentine presidential palace in the capital Buenos Aires for over two years. This is in protest against the fact that politicians do not initiate dialogue with the group about their land rights. - The politicians have not responded to a single one of our formal letters or requests for dialogue, says protest leader Félix Díaz.

May 12, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Interview

Agreement between the EU and Great Britain to prevent tensions in Northern Ireland

In the spring, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the new 'Windsor Framework', which replaces the former Northern Ireland Protocol. Photo: UK Prime Minister. Source: Flickr.

Of: Amanda Rossling

Britain and the EU agree a framework for Northern Ireland and Ireland, after lengthy discussions on the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol - which was signed when the UK left the EU. The framework will simplify trade in the UK and be a means of avoiding tensions between Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

May 12, 2023, Development magazine explains

Global trend with a higher retirement age - but the majority in France is against it

In the spring, millions of people in France protested against Macron's presidential reform - despite the fact that the new retirement age in the country, 64, is still lower than the global average. Pictured: Police officers prepare for the arrival of the demonstration train in Bordeaux. Photo: Vendela Hammarbäck.

Of: Vendela Permat's Hammarbäck

Since January of this year, the French population has protested against a political reform that raises the retirement age in the country from 62 to 64 years, despite the fact that the global average retirement age is 65 years. However, it was not themselves the increase of pensionsthe age that most angered the French population, but the way the bill passed—by the French government bypassed the French Assemblée Nationale to get the proposal through.

May 10, 2023, Report

Civil society in a meeting with the minister of aid: "Uncertainty and lack of clarity in politics"

Aid Minister Johan Forsell (M) and State Secretary Diana Janse invited civil society to get input on the aid reform agenda - which will be drawn up during the year. During the meeting, several organizations highlighted that it is unclear what the government actually means by effective aid. Photo: FUF.

Of: Alice Mutambala

During Friday met several civil society organizations Aid Minister Johan Forssell (M) and State Secretary Diana Janse for to discuss the reform agenda for the aid – to be designed under 2023. The link between trade and aid and what effective and transparent aid actually means were some of them the discussion points.  

May 5, 2023, News

Strict draft law in Uganda causes concern among LGBTQI activists

In recent years, LGBTQ people in Uganda and their supporters have started to gain more space. They have felt safe enough to, among other things, organize small pride parades and organize self-help groups, but that space is now in danger of disappearing. A new bill with tougher laws against LGBTQ rights has been passed in parliament and looks set to be approved by President Yoweri Museveni. Photo: Alisdare Hickson. Source: Flickr.

Of: Ellinor Berglund

In late March, Uganda's parliament passed one bill with tougher penalties for LGBTQI people. After the space for LGBTQI people increased under them In recent years, the situation has rapidly worsened and activists are worried about what the future holds if the president chooses to approve the bill. - I felt that my efforts and other LGBTQI people and human rights defenders' efforts went up in flames, says Maltae, program manager at LGTBQI Voices Uganda to Development magazine.

May 5, 2023, Report

Australia to vote on constitutional amendment for indigenous peoples: "Now we have the chance"

Soon, Australia will vote on increased political influence for the country's indigenous people. But according to opinion polls, a narrow majority is in favor of the constitutional amendment. Pictured: Australia's three flags – the country's national flag (left), Aboriginal flag (centre) and Torres Strait Islander flag (right). Photo: Photo: Leonard J Matthews. Source: Flickr.

Of: Signe Andersson

The indigenous peoples in Australia the most disadvantaged group is i the country and experiences, among other things, discrimination in work, healthcare and the legal system. A referendum is to be held later this year in which the population will vote for or against securing the Aboriginal and Tof the Orressund Islanders political influence in parliament. 

April 25, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Development magazine explains

New hiking trail to promote tourism and outdoor life in Armenia

Despite the beautiful nature of Armenia, the country is not yet an obvious destination for outdoor tourism. Photo: Tom Allen, Transcaucasian Trail Armenia.

Of: Sara Lannebo

In mountainous Armenia, a new hiking trail will promote tourism, environmental protection and young leadership. The project, which goes by the name Transcaucasian Trail (TCT), has as a vision to tie the three together South Caucasian the countries of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Development magazine has interviewed ashot Davtyan, project manager for TCT, about the challenges and opportunities the project faces.

April 25, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Interview

Six years after the mass exodus – continued great uncertainty for the Rohingya

The refugee camps in Bangladesh are temporary homes with substandard security for nearly a million Rohingya who have fled Myanmar. Photo: Fahmin Ahmed. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

Nearly one million Rohingya have fled their homeland of Myanmar to the Cox's Bazar region of Bangladesh due to persecution and conflict with the military government. For the people in the camp, resources are scarce and security substandard. And despite efforts to help rohingya, both in the home country and internationally, is the situation still unpredictable. 

April 21, 2023, Report