Week 10: Debaters welcome Sweden's NATO entry

Sweden is now a member of the NATO military alliance. This has been welcomed by most debaters on Swedish opinion pages. Pictured: Ulf Kristersson (M), Prime Minister of Sweden, and Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO. Photo: NATO. Source: Flickr.

Of: Fatima Shek Behi

On March 7, 2024, Sweden became a full member of NATO, two years after the application process began following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. NATO entry has dominated the debate and editorial pages for the past week, with a clear majority welcoming membership of the military alliance.  

March 11, 2024, Current debate

Inequality in the world leads to hunger and malnutrition

Despite the fact that women bear the heaviest responsibility for food supply globally, they themselves are the most affected by hunger and malnutrition. In order to end hunger in the world, the systematic discrimination against women must also end. This is written by representatives from the organization The Hunger Project. Photo: CIFOR. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elodie Iko, Grace Mgabadere Chikow and Malin Flemström

Gender discrimination continues to be a contributing factor to hunger and malnutrition in the world. Everyone must work for more equal societies to end hunger, and men in particular must realize that their commitment is essential to achieving equality. It writes Elodie Iko, Grace Mga bathers Chikowi and Malin Flemström from The Hunger Project. 

March 8, 2024, Debate

Reduced international support for Rohingya – despite worsening situation

In Kutupalong, which is the world's largest refugee camp, almost a million Rohingya refugees live today, waiting for a safe return to their homeland Myanmar. The refugees lack work permits in Bangladesh and are therefore dependent on international humanitarian aid. Photo: Captain Raju. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Adam hansen

The situation is uncertain for Rthe ohingya people in Southeast Asia. The vital humanitarian assistance has been reduced to the refugee camps in Bangladesh, where close to a million rohingy is located. At the same time, violence is escalating in the homeland of Myanmar, which threatens the uncertain future of the ethnic group.  

March 5, 2024, Report

Understanding a world in crisis

Date and time: 19 Mar, 10:30 - 12:00

SIPRI is an international research institute with a focus on broadening the understanding of global security issues and promoting solutions for peace and development around the globe. It is headed by Dan Smith, who during this talk will share his insights and the work of SIPRI in relation to the new Swedish aid and foreign policy. He will also discuss issues such as: How should we understand the world of today? What should conflict prevention and resolution entail? What are the EU's most pressing security policy challenges, and what can be expected after the elections for the European Parliament in June?

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March 5, 2024, English, Events, Calendar

Female street vendors fight for their place in Harare

Almost 90 percent of street vendors in Zimbabwe are completely dependent on street vending as their source of income. Many of them are women who risk violence and harassment when they work. Beauty (left) always buys ginger from a female street vendor (right) who does not want to give her name. Photo: Matilda Katsler.

Of: Matilda Katsler

In central Harare, street vending is an important part of the economy, especially for women who account for a large part of the informal workforce in the country. The women have to fight hard to take a place in the public space - en place that often has a high price in the form of violence and sexual harassment.  

March 4, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Week 9: Debaters want Sweden to advocate disarmament - even as a NATO member

On Swedish opinion pages during the past week, most debaters were positive that Sweden's long application process to NATO seems to be coming to an end. Pictured: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) (left) next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (right). Photo: NATO. Source: Flickr.

Of: Benjamin Frisk

On February 26, Hungary's parliament voted yes to Swedengiven NATO membership, and now is that only formalities left before Sweden becomes a full member of the military alliance. This was the focus of the debate and leader pages during the past week, and most of them debaters were positive about Sweden's move towards NATO. Fclay underlined However, the importance of continuing to be a voice for peace and limitation of nuclear weapons. Aid to UNRWA, the UN aid organization for Palestinian refugees, also continued to be debated. 

March 4, 2024, Current debate

Young and highly educated people are leaving Hungary – as a result of Orbán's policies

Since 2022, Hungary can no longer be considered a full-fledged democracy. The political and economic development in the country has meant that many young and highly educated people choose to leave. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, the nationalist ruling party, has over the past decade systematically dismantled the country's democratic institutions. In an increasingly harsh economic and political climate many young and highly educated Hungarians choose to move abroad. What can attract them back? Can liberal winds blowing across former nationalist ally Poland bring hope for change? 

February 26, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Week 8: Debaters demand increased support for Ukraine

Last week, the war in Ukraine entered its third year. With that, debaters demanded, among other things, increased military support for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia. Photo: President of Ukraine. Source: Flickr.

Of: The Chancellery

Last week it was two years since Russia began his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which characterized the Swedish opinion pages. Several debaters believed that Sweden, the EU and the world must do more to end the war. 

February 26, 2024, Current debate

FUF's annual meeting 2024

Date and time: 21 Mar, 17:30 - 19:00

FUF is a membership organization and the annual meeting is its highest decision-making body. All FUF members have the right to vote on the organization's development and future during the annual meeting. Motions must be received by FUF by March 7 at the latest. Motions are sent by email to fuf@fuf.se. All annual meeting documents will be available on our website no later than one week before the annual meeting. We offer [...]

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February 20

The war in Tigray is over, but peace lingers and famine threatens

Several armed conflicts plague Ethiopia and the country's economy is in crisis. The risk of a large-scale disaster is high. In a guest analysis, Pierre Frühling, who has worked with development issues for 40 years, writes about the ongoing conflicts in the country - and what can be done to curb them. Photo: Voice of America. Source: Garystockbridge.

Of: Pierre Frühling

The situation in Ethiopia is critical. There are several armed conflicts going on in the country, while food shortages are spreading and the economy is in crisis. The risk is great for mass starvation i tigray – the region that has been affected by en of today's bloodiest and most destructive wars. Without dialogue between leaders of the country different ethnic groups about how the borders should look between the regions and what kind of governance the country should have, it is difficult to see how any real peace can be achieved in Ethiopia. It writes Pierre springg, former diplomat, aid worker and journalist. 

February 19, 2024, Analysis