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The texts on this site have been auto-translated which may result in some linguistic errors.

Robert Dalsjö (FOI)

Published: July 3, 2018

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Marianne Kjellén (UNDP)

Eva Svedling (Mp)

Latest articles

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Petra Dorau: When I first came to Sicily

Petra Dorau: When I first came to Sicily in 1989, it was actually to work as a secretary for a German construction company. Italy had been my dream country since I was little – I wanted to escape the cold of Northern Germany and loved the language, the music and the food. The people here were so open, and unlike the more strict Germany, it felt like you could always find a solution to everything. I immediately fell in love with Sicily, and with the man who would become the father of my children. But building a life here was not always easy. We bought land in a natural park where the building regulations were extremely complicated, and for a while I had to work 10- to 12-hour shifts in a cookie factory so that we could afford to get by. After ten years together, we decided to separate. The fact that I, as a young woman, was the one who chose to leave was not at all normal in Sicilian culture, it is usually the man who takes that step. Many people probably thought I would move back to Germany, but I wanted my children to grow up here, in the place where they were born. To earn an income, I started carpentry. For almost ten years, I made and sold furniture, toy boxes and rocking horses at various markets. I have loved animals ever since I was little and started with turtles before saving up for my very first dog. My biggest dream was always to have a horse. However, my ex-partner never wanted me to get involved with horses, he considered it a 'man's job'. But after the separation, when I was on my own two feet, I decided to take the plunge. I bought my very first horse, which I rescued from a slaughterhouse. I went to northern Italy to train, got a license to teach children and eventually started my own riding center. Today, horses are my life. Interview by: Svea Mangili, FUF's correspondent in Sicily, spring 2026.

THE INTERNSHIPS HAVE GOT OUR PASSWORD!!! 😱🥰

INTERNSHIPS HAVE GOT OUR PASSWORD!!! 😱🥰 Coming Mondays, this spring's FUF interns will take over our Instagram and talk about life as an intern at their workplace. First up is Liv at @rightlivelihood. Keep an eye out and bombard them with questions. Do you also want to do an internship through FUF? Swipe to learn more!

Watch the livestream from our event Neglected Cris

Watch the livestream from our event Neglected Crisis: An evening about Sudan here!

Want to learn more about the conflict in Sudan? Th

Want to learn more about the conflict in Sudan? There's still seats left at our AW seminar tomorrow! Join FUF and the Swedish Red Cross for an after-work seminar on one of today's most urgent yet overlooked crises. 📆May 5th, 17:30-18:30 📍Red Cross Office, Lindhagensgatan 126, Stockholm. #sudan #FUF #SwedishRedCross #humanitariancrisis #conflict

Today's world asks a lot of people who care to stay

Today's world asks a lot of people who care to stay informed and engaged. This two-part seminar series aims to teach you tools and skills to use when the world's problems feel too heavy on your shoulders. This first session, focusing on meditation, will be led by Jens Rantil – a long-term meditator who was a facilitator for the TergarStockholm Community meditation group for five years, covering topics such as awareness and compassion. Everyone is welcome to join – no experience is needed. Come curious, come open, and come as you are! 📆11th may @ 17:30 📍FUF's Teams Sign up with the link in our bio! Not yet a member of FUF? Comment on this post, and we'll send you more info about FUF and how to become a member.

In September 2026, there will be elections to the Riksdag, regional

In September 2026, there will be elections to the Riksdag, regional and municipal councils and the election campaign is underway. Parties and politicians are positioning themselves, often at the expense of their opponents. The tone is high, facts and consequences weigh lightly in the debate. Hate and threats are silencing many voices. It is unacceptable. That is why we at FUF, together with 23 trade unions, civil society and human rights organizations, are participating in a call for democracy. We urge all political representatives to contribute to a democratic social climate and to provide the conditions for voters to make well-founded decisions. Democracy needs champions, it needs to be defended every day and we must do that together regardless of political affiliation. We want a democratic conversation in the election campaign! Do you want it too? Share this post.

The number of armed conflicts has reached its high

The number of armed conflicts has reached its highest level since World War II. International rule of law is under pressure. The development sector is shrinking. Staying grounded when the world is on fire is more difficult, and more necessary, than ever. In May, we're offering our FUF members two exclusive digital events on self-compassion: one for the mind, one for the body. 📅 11 & 18 May — registration opens soon. Not yet a member of FUF? Comment on this post, and we'll send you more info about FUF and how to become a member.

“Don't forget us.” That's the message that people in

“Don’t forget us.” That’s the message that people in Ukraine want Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, country director for the UN refugee program UNHCR, to convey to the world. Learn more about the situation in Ukraine and UNHCR’s work in our interview with her in Utvecklingsmagasinet: fuf.se/magasin @sverige_for_unhcr @unhcr_ukraine @refugees

For three years, civilians in Sudan have endured a

For three years, civilians in Sudan have endured a brutal conflict, yet international attention has been limited. Join FUF and the Swedish Red Cross for an after-work seminar on one of today's most urgent yet overlooked crises. 🗓️ May 5th, 17:30–18:30 📍 Red Cross Office, Lindhagensgatan 126, Stockholm #sudan #FUF #SwedishRedCross #humanitariancrisis #conflict

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thefufcorrespondents

Do you want to continue following FUF's correspondents who

Do you want to continue following FUF's correspondents reporting from different parts of the world? 🌍 From now on, you will be able to do so on the Instagram account Fuf.se. Follow us there to see stories from Harare, Vienna, London and Belgrade this spring – and lots of other FUF material about global sustainable development! #fufkorrespondenterna

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria The War Between I

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria The war between Israel and Hamas is stirring up strong emotions around the world, including in Austria. Many have taken to the streets to demonstrate against Hamas' terrorist acts and hostage-taking, as well as Israel's response in the form of ground invasions and bombings of Gaza. In the pictures above, the organization Students of the Palestinian Cause in Austria can be seen demonstrating at Karlsplatz in Vienna. They chant “Free Palestine!” and carry banners with the text “Laut gegen Genozid” – “loud against genocide” in Swedish. Austria was one of the few countries that voted against the resolutions presented in the UN votes on calling for a ceasefire on October 27 and December 12. Karl Nehammer, the Austrian Chancellor, justifies the country's decision in the following quote on X: "A resolution that does not mention the terrorist organization Hamas, that does not condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, and that does not uphold Israel's right to self-defense, which is enshrined in international law - such a resolution cannot be supported by Austria." Read more about the debate about the war between Israel and Hamas and about the Austrian government's approach to the Russian offensive war in Ukraine in the Development magazine at www.fuf.se/magasin or via our link in bio! #fufkorrespondents Image 1: Protesters at the Technical University of Vienna, Karlsplatz. Image 2: The Austrian Parliament. Image 3: More and more students are joining the demonstration.

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria Three things you k

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria Three things you might not have known about Vienna: - Vienna is home to many international organizations. The UN has one of its four headquarters here, where, among others, The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, and The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, IICIU, work. IICIU works to investigate possible human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine. OSCE, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, has 57 member countries worldwide and works for stability and democracy with headquarters in Vienna. - The city has great historical significance in the area. As the former capital of the Habsburg Empire, i.e. Austria-Hungary, it is clear that Vienna is an ancient metropolis with large palaces and grand castles, such as the Hofburg seen in the picture. The traces of the dual monarchy are still clearly visible today as a large part of the city's population comes from or has roots in the countries that were once part of Austria-Hungary, including Croatia, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. - For more than a hundred years, Vienna has built up a unique system of municipal rental apartments that today houses more than half of the residents. Due to this system, among other things, Vienna is considered one of the cities in the world with the highest standard of living, as the apartments are economically affordable and contribute to a more stable rental market in general. Read more about Vienna's unique housing policy and Agenda 2030 in the Development Magazine at www.fuf.se/magasin or via link in bio! Image 1: The UN office in Vienna. Image 2: Hofburg, the large imperial palace in the middle of the city that has become a symbol of the Habsburg Empire. Image 3: A quiet neighborhood in one of Vienna's many municipal housing complexes. #fufkorrespondents

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria Greetings! I

Agnes Fältman in #Vienna #Austria Greetings! My name is Agnes and I am this fall's FUF correspondent. I am currently studying German at the University of Vienna. Here and in FUF's online magazine Utvecklingsmagasinet, I will report on Vienna's unique housing policy in today's difficult economic situation, Austria's attitude towards the war in Ukraine and international aid, as well as other exciting things happening in the country. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you! You can already read my first text at www.fuf.se/magasin or via the link in the bio! See you soon! #fufkorrespondenterna @univienna

Vendela Permat's Hammarbäck in #Bordeaux #France

Vendela Permats Hammarbäck in #Bordeaux #France The French government's decision to raise the retirement age without going through the National Assembly has led to protests and demonstrations throughout the country, and two-thirds of the population are against the reform. Emmanuel Macron's government has decided to raise the retirement age in France from 62 to 64. The decision was made by using Article 49 of the French constitution - which allows bills to be passed without a vote in the National Assembly. This has sparked controversy and opposition from both political opponents and unions, who claim the decision is undemocratic. However, Macron claims that the reform is necessary to avoid labor shortages and be able to finance an aging population and a large number of pensioners in the country. The controversy highlights the global trend of raising the retirement age due to longer life expectancy. Read more about this at www.fuf.se/magasin or via the link in our bio! #fufkorrespondents Video: Demonstration march in March 2023. Image: The entrance to the city hall in Bordeaux that demonstrators set on fire during the protests.

Amanda Rossling in #London #England Recently presented

Amanda Rossling in #London #England The UK and the EU recently presented a new agreement regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is part of the withdrawal agreement after Brexit. The new framework is intended to simplify trade in the UK and avoid political tensions between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The framework is described as the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the EU and the UK. At the same time, the 25th anniversary of the so-called Good Friday Agreement was also celebrated – which was established in 1998 and succeeded in ending the 30-year-long wave of violence in Northern Ireland. Read more about the new framework and the previous conflict on the Irish island at www.fuf.se/magasin or via the link in our bio! Image 1: The EU delegation's office here in London. Image 2: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Source: Flickr. #fufkorrespondents

Signe Andersson in #Wollongong #Australia I cent

Signe Andersson in #Wollongong #Australia In central Wollongong is the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation (IAC), an Aboriginal non-profit organization that works to strengthen the rights and opportunities of Indigenous people in Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the indigenous groups that have lived in and used the land for over 65,000 years. When the British colonized Australia, Aboriginal people were persecuted, and to this day, discrimination continues to exist that leads to deteriorating living conditions and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Among other things, IAC works to help Indigenous people with housing, as homelessness is a major problem affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Image 2 depicts the official IAC artwork that represents the organization as a whole, interconnected by different programs, perspectives, people and community. Through this, the organization works together towards a common goal: to improve the lives of Aboriginal people in the Illawarra region. IAC's vision is to live in a just, united and caring society, where Indigenous peoples have strong cultural opportunities and are recognized and respected as the first peoples of the country. At www.fuf.se/magasin you can read more about Indigenous peoples in Australia and the referendum on increased political influence for Indigenous peoples that will be held in the country this autumn. #fufkorrespondents

Vendela Permat's Hammarbäck in #Bordeaux #France

Vendela Permats Hammarbäck in #Bordeaux #France Bonjour! My name is Vendela and I am one of this spring's FUF correspondents. When I'm not in France, I study the peace and development program at Linnaeus University in Växjö! Among other things, I will keep you updated on the ongoing political protests against the controversial pension reform and other exciting things happening in the country. Looking forward to sharing with you! À bientôt ! #fufcorrespondenterna

Image 1: Ukrainian Iryna Yetskalo is the entrepreneur

Image 1: Ukrainian Iryna Yetskalo is the entrepreneur who started Ukr Kids Hub, an education center for Ukrainian refugees in the city of Timisoara in Romania, after she was forced to flee her homeland. "I'm fighting on the front lines of education, that's how my country serves," she says. Image 2: "I woke up at five in the morning, my mother told me we had to leave home," says 15-year-old Yana Pasechniuk, one of the students at the education center. She and her classmate Vasilina Tarasova both had to flee from Russian occupiers in Sumy and Kherson. Image 3: "What is foot in English?" asks language teacher Oxana Cotelea to the 4th grade students with whom she teaches English at the education center. In addition to English, the students also learn Romanian and their native Ukrainian. Read the full report from Ukr Kids Hub at www.fuf.se/magasin or via the link in our bio. The text is written by FUF correspondent Daniel Díaz. #fufcorrespondents #Ukraine #Romania

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