The development magazine
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Current debate
Week 11: “The liberal world order built after World War II is crumbling”
Aid budgets are shrinking worldwide and the rules-based world order is being challenged. This week, two editorials argued that the shift in foreign policy in several countries, including Sweden, is undermining long-term goals for global development and human rights.
March 17, 2025
Current debate
Week 10: European rearmament and International Women's Day on the agenda in troubled times
After Donald Trump has suspended all military support for Ukraine, many debaters believe that it is no longer possible to rely on the US's participation in NATO. International Women's Day is highlighted in the debate, and the government presents a contribution of 22,5 million kronor to Ukrainian women.
March 10, 2025
Development magazine explains
How USAID – the world's largest aid agency – is being dismantled
When Donald Trump takes office as president, he orders USAID's work to be paused and reviewed for 90 days. In a month, 90% of all projects have been closed and thousands of employees have lost their jobs worldwide. At the same time, the agency is left with unpaid debts of tens of millions of dollars. Utvecklingsmagazine investigates what has happened.
March 7, 2025
Current debate
Week 9: Debaters urge Europe to take a more active role in the new world order
Last Monday marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while global politics was marked by concerns over US concessions in peace negotiations with Russia. As the US retreats from previous commitments, Europe – and Scandinavia in particular – must step up and take a more active role in world politics, several commentators say.
March 3, 2025
News
Bolivia pauses decision on $2 billion lithium extraction
Bolivia's vast lithium reserves are seen as crucial to the country's economic development. However, Bolivia's parliament is now pausing decisions on lithium mining contracts with China and Russia after pressure from critics who say the contracts were pushed through with insufficient consultation with local communities.
February 28
Current debate
Week 8: Peace talks without Ukraine draw international concern and criticism
During the past week, world politics has been dominated by discussions about security and diplomacy. Not least, the peace talks between the United States and Russia have sparked intense reactions and debate across Europe. The discussions, held in Saudi Arabia and without the participation of Ukraine, have been met with strong skepticism from European leaders and concern from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.
February 24
FUF-correspondents, Reportage
Rights of people with disabilities in Taiwan: a work in progress
Taiwan is already home to over one million people with disabilities, and this year it is expected to become a super-aged society. Despite progress in legislation and increased awareness of the rights of people with disabilities, significant challenges remain.
February 17
Current debate
Week 7: Trump's policies raise concerns about Ukraine and the future of Europe
US President Donald Trump has been here, there and everywhere in the media since he was sworn in as US President for the second time. That is why the president also permeates this week's Current Debate. After only a month in power, his policies have already left their mark on both international aid and the conditions for peace negotiations in Ukraine.
February 17
Guest piece
Dr. Denis Mukwege on the situation in the Eastern DRC: "This is no longer a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of our humanity"
– It's time to move from a 'Do No Harm' approach to a 'Do Good' one, urged Nobel Peace Prize laureate in his opening statement of "Business for Peace" a seminar on the obstacles and solutions to building a fair and sustainable mineral trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The seminar was arranged in late January 2025 by FUF in collaboration with Friends of Panzi Hospital and took place only days before M3 rebel forces started their assault on Goma, an important node for people and minerals in Eastern DRC.
Dr Mukwege's opening statement has been rendered as delivered below.
February 10
Current debate
Week 6: Debators urge Sweden and the EU to stand up for women's reproductive health
Current debate is back with a fresh FUF editorial team and new analyses of the conversations on the Swedish debate and editorial pages! During the previous week, many columns have been devoted to discussions about President Trump's decision to impose trade tariffs on Mexico and Canada. But beyond this, attention has also been paid to the global development of women's reproductive health. When President Trump is expected to pull the rug out from under aid organizations in these sectors, Sweden and the EU are urged to increase their efforts.
February 10
FUF-correspondents, Reportage
Kazakhstan: working for the feminism that “nobody” wants
While feminism is a natural part of social debate in Sweden, the word is met with incomprehension and skepticism in Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan, gender equality is seen as something already achieved, although traditional values still hold women back. Despite the challenges, a slow change is sprouting, led by women who refuse to accept the status quo.
February 9
The texts in Utvecklingsmagasinet are written by FUF's non-profit writers and
correspondents as well as various guest writers who are knowledgeable in the field of global development.
Do you have tips on interesting topics to cover or people to interview? Please let the editors know opinion@fuf.se
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