Of: Josefin Pasanen
The new year comes with promises of large-scale Covid vaccination and a glimmer of hope that things can soon return to "normal" again. But there are many indications that it is precisely our "normal" way of life that has triggered the pandemic and the global socio-economic crisis that has come in its wake. The latest UN report on human development (HDR 2020) shows that the Covid-19 pandemic risks becoming a warning of what is to come, if humanity does not change course and work to restore balance on the planet.
January 29, 2021, Debate
About 30 percent of Sida's aid goes to democracy and human rights. Photo: Helena Bjuremalm
Of: Helena Bjuremalm
Both international and Swedish democracy aid is effective, according to a new study from the Expert Group for Aid Analysis (EBA). The report also shows that Sweden's democracy assistance has decreased at country level in recent years. Helena Bjuremalm, Deputy Head of Unit at Sida's Democracy Unit, has analyzed the results.
December 14, 2020, Debate
Plan International supported the training of 20 girls from Bohicon and Abomey to help them make 250 protective face masks. When completed, a group of youth activists from Plan International projects helped distribute them to traineeships to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Benin. Photo: Plan Sweden.
Of: Mariann Eriksson and Alexandra Pärnebjörk
For almost a year, the world has been living with the coronavirus. It is now clear that the pandemic, and the efforts being made to stop the spread of infection, are hitting different groups differently. But as in many previous crises and disasters, there is one group that is particularly vulnerable: the teenage girls. Especially when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
December 9, 2020, Debate
The countryside of Kampala, Uganda. Photo: David Nilsson.
Of: David Nilsson
The research community around development issues in Sweden has long been multidisciplinary, weak and fragmented. At the same time, funding for development research is lagging behind. Many researchers in the field are now asking themselves: what does the future of development research really look like?
December 1, 2020, Debate
Around 70 percent of all coffee grown in Kenya is made by small-scale producers.
Of: Hewan Temesghen
Coffee is a drink that many of us feel we can not do without. But if we want to continue drinking our favorite drink in the future, we must take joint responsibility and create conditions for a more socially sustainable agriculture in the countries where people try to make a living from growing coffee, writes Hewan Temesghen from Fairtrade.
September 30, 2020, Debate
The uncontrolled flow of small and light weapons has serious consequences around the world, the debaters write. Photo: Pixabay
Every hour, 25 people in the world die due to armed violence. At the same time, we see how violence and conflicts are spreading around the world where the Corona pandemic is predicted to increase the risk of more conflicts. Peace cannot be taken for granted and the world must put an end to armed violence, write several current and former members of parliament from various parties on International Peace Day.
September 21, 2020, Debate
Johan Lilja thinks that Swedish regions and municipalities have an important role to play internationally. Photo: Maria Jansson
Of: Johan Lily
The corona pandemic threatens already strained human rights around the world. It is now more important than ever with democratic institutions at the local level to function. Here, Swedish municipalities and regions with their knowledge and experience can make a difference, writes Johan Lilja at the International Center for Local Democracy.
July 15, 2020, Debate
Confidence in the Colombian military is weak in Colombia. It complicates the peace process, the debater writes. Photo: Piqsels
Of: Mimmi Clase Hagman
In late June, seven Colombian soldiers abducted and raped an 11-year-old girl from the indigenous people of Emberá-Chamí. This cruel event raises questions about how Sweden - which is a major donor to the ongoing peace process - should relate to developments in Colombia. It writes master's student Mimmi Clase Hagman.
July 7, 2020, Debate
Of: Göran Hyden
In recent years, the development agency Sida's task has been to move and manage money. There is no time left for what makes development assistance more effective - to gain knowledge and understanding of the environment in which development assistance is to be integrated. This is what Professor Göran Hydén writes, who is now proposing an internal investigation.
July 2, 2020, Debate
Knowledge exchange is often more important than the money that is conveyed within development cooperation, writes Inge Gerremo. Photo: Kyle Gese
Of: Inge Gerremo
Expert knowledge and knowledge exchanges are fundamental for a functioning development collaboration. Prioritizing it to reduce aid bureaucracy is both stupid and short-sighted. Then it will be difficult to navigate in our complex world, says Inge Gerremo who has 50 years of experience working with Swedish development assistance.
June 23, 2020, Debate
