Last week, the UN Development Program (UNDP) published a report on human development, which begins with “Inequality. Evidence is everywhere ”. This has resulted in this week's debate focusing on the causes of inequalities and demands for change in Swedish development aid policy.
Energy consultant Ingemar Andersson writes in Sydsvenskan “Electrification is a key to a better life. That is why poverty reduction is best done today with electrification ”. Electrification is, according to Andersson, the key to achieving most Agenda 2030 goals, to create a sustainable future. For example, large investments are being made in solar energy in Asia, Africa and South America, which is also a more economical alternative and not just climate-smart. The problem, however, is that an electricity network is required to be reached by the solar projects that are carried out. Andersson therefore believes that "It is time for the government to redo Swedish development assistance and prioritize electrification".
In Göteborgs Posten, representatives from left-wing parties also write a debate article regarding Sweden's development aid policy. Instead, they argue that development aid policy needs to change its focus and become truly equal. "The Swedish government likes to talk about a feminist foreign policy and Agenda 2030. At the same time, they continue - in direct opposition - to export weapons to dictatorships and warring countries," the debaters write. They claim that the climate crisis, together with technological developments in the world, is contributing to growing inequality. The fact that inequality in the world has increased is based on the report presented by the UN on human development. Along with the growing inequality in the world, arms sales have also increased. The debaters point out the importance of not fighting war with war, but instead that "The best way to avoid war is to work for a world where democracy, respect for international law and human rights, sustainable development, women's liberation and international solidarity prevail." The representatives from the left party therefore want to change Swedish development aid policy, as development aid has proven to be more effective in stopping security policy threats than the military.
The editorial staff at Dagens Nyheter wants to highlight another side to the alleged increase in inequalities in the world. The authors acknowledge inequalities that are increasing, especially between gender, health, income and education, but despite this they find more positive in the report than previous debaters have expressed. The positive thing about the report, according to the authors, is that life expectancy is increasing, only Syria is a country where citizens have been worse off since 1990 and the more accessible mobile subscriptions that now exist have contributed to increased opportunities for communication, access to information, education and a simpler everyday life. . The writers see the light on the growing inequality as a tool for populism to increase. Instead, the debaters believe that "problems can be solved with concrete political adjustments" such as economic liberalism, shattered barriers to trade and freedom. "The rich world has a responsibility to distribute its abundance so that many more will benefit, and to make it easier for poorer countries and regions to catch up."
Fd. Foreign Minister Margot Wallström and Secretary General of Kvinna till Kvinna Petra Tötterman Andorff, write a debate article in Aftonbladet, where they draw attention to sexual violence in wars and conflicts. They believe that we should "increase investment in women's participation, participation and power and, above all, strengthen women's movements in conflict-affected areas." However, they point out that it is no longer just a women's issue, but large parts of the world's decision - makers accept this as part of the discussion about war and security. "But the work is too slow, and abuses often become more difficult to attack in the new type of conflict we see today. Where the warring partners do not belong to states that can be held accountable, but belong to groups, militias and terrorist organizations, the problems of impunity become even more difficult. " They demand that the fight be intensified by international actors to fight the war crime that is sexual violence, and never accept it as a natural law.
A selection of the last week's editorial and debate articles about Sweden's role in the world:
Aid work
"Poverty reduction is best done today with electrification"
Ingemar Andersson, Southern Sweden
"Time for Sweden to stand up for a truly equal development aid policy",
Yasmine Posio, Hanna Gunnarsson, Left Party, Göteborgs-Posten
"The news about the world economy is better than we think"
the editorial board, DN
War and security
"Sexual violence - a disgusting weapon in war"
Margot Wallström, Petra Tötterman Andorff, Aftonbladet
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