Criticism of the UK's aid cuts - and change is expected to be delayed

The UK has been a pioneer in international development cooperation, but in recent years the country's aid has gradually declined. The Labor Party, which won the election in early July, is positive about increasing aid again, but the change is expected to be delayed. Photo: Sgt Neil Bryden/RAF. Source: Flickr. 

Of: Tova Tabacsko

War, conflicts and climate change lead to increased needs for aid around the world, mainly in the global south. Despite this, the previous UK government ruled out an increase in aid in the budget, which has been criticized by several aid organisations. The British Labor Party, which recently secured its own majority in parliament, is on the other hand positive about returning to a higher 0,7 percent of GNP - but the change is expected to be delayed.

July 22, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Great challenge with gender equality in German-speaking Europe

Women's negative special position on the labor market is often connected to the fact that they have children and are on parental leave. This is, for example, the case in Austria and the cultural neighbors Germany and Switzerland. "There is an unspoken expectation for women to do the unpaid work in the home," says Austrian social anthropologist and preschool teacher Hannah Büchel to Utvecklingsmagasinet. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

In a part of Europe where a woman's role has long meant being a housewife, a new old structure has emerged: female part-time work in combination with unpaid work in the home. As a result, the German-speaking countries have among the largest wage differences between women and men in all of Europe. But today's young people increasingly question status quo and want to see a change. 

June 24, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Investment in cultivation to preserve peace in Liberia: "Can solve many problems"

Limited international support does not stop the organization United Youth for Peace and Sustainable Development from making a difference. Here several of the organization's members can be seen tilling the land to enable the cultivation of, among other things, eddoes, ginger and pepper. Photo: Aaron PF Ballah.

Of: Adam hansen

Just over two decades since Liberia's second civil war ended, the country has made great strides progress in economic growth and democracy. In the center we find a driven, young generation that does everything to preserve peace in the country – including through agriculture.  
- The young generation bears full responsibility for Liberia's future. We can solve many of today's problems if we use the potential of agriculture, he says Aaron PF God, program manager at the civil society organization UYPASD. 

May 20, 2024, Report

The EU is torn between its farmers and support for Ukraine

Margarethe (left) and Alice (right) are both beef farmers from the Netherlands. They have gathered in Brussels with other farmers to demonstrate against the EU's free trade agreement with Ukraine. Image: Jakob Kerren.

Of: Jakob Kerren

Intensive peasant protests has put EU politicians under pressure. The farmers are angry about the Union's free trade agreement with third countries. The problem is only that one of the the countries are Ukraine - who need every penny in the war against Russia.  

May 13, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

A year of war in Sudan: "A crisis that receives too little international attention"

Love-Lis Liljeström works for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sudan. After more than a year of war, she hopes that the situation in Sudan and the widespread humanitarian crisis will receive more attention both in Sweden and globally. Photo (left): Tosco Diaz/Flickr. Photo (right): Love-Lis Liljeström.

Of: Fatima Shek Behi

On April 15 this year, it was one year since the war in Sudan broke out. Several UN employees believe that the crisis in Sudan is a forgotten conflict, which is overshadowed by other conflicts in the world. Now the UN is warning that a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Sudan due to the lack of attention from the outside world.   - After a year of war, my hope is that the suffering in Sudan is given more attention, so that more aid can reach those in need and the foundations can be laid for a peaceful future, says Love-Lis Liljeström, program manager at UNDP in Sudan 

April 25, 2024, Report

Thousands protest that right-wing populist party may win the election in Austria

"Firewall against right-wing extremism". Since January, thousands of protesters regularly gather and march through central Vienna. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

On the streets of Austria, there are demonstrations against right-wing extremism and scandals EU-critical party Freiheitliche party Austria (FPÖ). With 30 percent of voter support is FPÖ according to opinion polls the largest party ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. About FPÖ comes to power, it could mean major changes for Austria, the EU and European aid to Ukraine - which the party wants to stop. 

April 8, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Professor on sending asylum seekers to Rwanda: "Act of desperation"

Britain, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, wants to send migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda while their cases are processed. The bill is a way for Rishi Sunak to gain access to right-wing voters and thus win the election, according to SOAS professor Phil Clark. Photo: Sandor Csudai. Source: Melaine Phillips.

Of: Tova Tabacsko

Despite setbacks in the Supreme Court and criticism from civil society, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak continues to push the bill to forcibly transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda. - This is the most extreme measure to outsource the migration system. It is the global North that cleans itself at the expense of refugees, says Phil Clark, professor of international politics at SOAS University of London.

March 25, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Culture is threatened when slum areas in India are rebuilt

Dharavi, a slum area in southwest Bombay, is to be upgraded into modern apartment complexes. Many believe that it can have positive effects on living conditions in the area, others are worried that Dharavi's cultural heritage will be neglected. Photo: Andrey Armiagov. Source: IStock.

Of: Fleur Riller Loins

One of the world's largest slums in Bombay to be equipped i a new property project. The goal is for the area to become both cleaner and safer. But local residents are worried that their culture will be neglected and that they will be forced to leave their homes. 

March 22, 2024, Report

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

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

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