FUF is in place in Almedalen! Every day we publish a short summary of the previous day with a focus on global issues.
On Tuesday morning, Simona Mohamsson was elected as the new party leader of the Liberals during an extraordinary national meeting in Almedalen. It was a brand-new party leader who was given the first of eight party leadership speeches this week. Global perspectives were almost completely absent from Mohamsson's speech, but she emphasized the importance of the EU as a global actor:
— In a time of crisis and conflict, Sweden should not be content to slide along in EU cooperation – we should push for it. Now that the Middle East is burning, when Russia is bombing its neighbors and the White House is being run like a reality show – that is when we need a Europe that will take a step forward, as the democratic superpower.
On Tuesday, Sida also made a comeback with its own stage program during Almedalen Week. “Today’s challenges and future aid” was the overall theme for the half-day, which was attended by representatives from civil society, the UN system and business, as well as the agency’s Director General Jakob Granit. Among other things, he gave his perspective on the recent criticism directed at the government’s decision to stop support for UNRWA – in violation of Sida’s own recommendations:
— Sida has received a new instruction that states that we as an authority must ensure that the assistance we provide is integrated and in harmony with the foreign policy and assistance policy that is being pursued. (…) Operationally, as an expert authority, we assess that UNRWA has the ability to deliver support to the appeals in Gaza, but then the dimension of ensuring that the support to UNRWA is in line with the government's policy comes into play, and then the government has chosen to end its core support to UNRWA, said Jakob Granit, among other things, in a conversation with journalist Görrel Espelund. (Granit's answer to the UNRWA question can be listened to in its entirety at FUF's Instagram account @fuf.se(editor's note)
Humanitarian aid and the situation in the Middle East dominated many of the seminars during the day, with several voices calling for humanitarian aid to be principled and based on needs, not politics. Upholding international humanitarian law is crucial, especially in conflict-affected regions such as the Middle East. The need to strengthen local actors was also highlighted, as they are often the most effective, but also the hardest hit when resources are depleted.
"A gender-balanced humanitarian response is by far the most effective way to alleviate suffering and save lives. Every dollar invested in humanitarian programs has an eight-fold return," said Sofia Calltorp, head of UN Women in Geneva.
Jakob Wernerman, head of Sida's humanitarian department, also emphasized the importance of principle-based humanitarian assistance:
— Humanitarian aid is not just about food and water. It is also about protecting civilians from violence. It is important not to lose sight of that. (…) We also cannot just look at numbers – we have to start from who is most in need of support. It is both more expensive and more complicated, but it is also more important.
Several of the speakers on Sida's stage also emphasized that stricter prioritization, better coordination and new funding channels, including from private actors, will be crucial at a time when needs are increasing and funding is decreasing. Preventive efforts and a holistic approach were also highlighted as necessary to meet both acute and long-term needs.
— Human security needs to get back on track – what we call the nexus. It is not wise that we do not get it together better, said Red Cross Secretary General Ulrika Modéer, among other things.
Even outside Sida's stage, many conversations with a global bearing were held. The focus was on the changing security policy situation and Sweden's role in the world. Disinformation, hybrid warfare and civil defense were discussed, but also Sweden's foreign policy and global responsibility in the UN and the EU. Tuesday was characterized, like Monday, by a strong focus on the war in Ukraine. Rights issues also ran like a common thread throughout the day, where the situation and rights of minorities, freedom of expression and social injustice were also highlighted in both a Swedish and international context. The climate issue was also addressed, including through discussions about climate justice, global goal conflicts and Sweden's responsibility in the green transition.
The Sweden Democrats' party leader Jimmie Åkesson ended the day from the Almedalen stage. Unlike Mohamsson, he began his speech with a global outlook. He painted up a world in crisis, where Sweden's room for action is affected by a deteriorating security situation. He criticized the US trade policy for creating uncertainty and stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine – because “their fight is also ours”. He also highlighted developments in the Middle East as particularly worrying, with effects that are felt in Sweden in everything from increased oil prices to “terror-stirring gaping holes in the streets”. Åkesson stressed the need to combat evil with force, and that assistance should primarily be given in the immediate area. He described the conflict between Israel and Hamas as a fight in which Israel defends itself against a terrorist organization that threatens its existence. He expressed support for Israel and said that Islamism is a threat to both world peace and our society.
Monday's summary from Almedalen can be found here. here!
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