Demonstration in memory of the murdered journalist Ján Kuciak and his girlfriend Martina Kušnírová. Bratislava, March 2018 Photo: Peter Tkac, Flickr
Of: Jennifer Augustsson
The threat to journalists and media workers has increased globally in 2018, according to reports from press freedom organizations. The alarming trend does not seem to be slowing down and there is a call for improvement.
April 26, 2019, Report
Bacha bazi, or "boy play" in Dari, is a practice that is synonymous with the sexual exploitation of boys. Photo: US Embassy Kabul, Flickr.
Of: Alexandra Håkansson and Lisa Elamson
In 2017 the Afghan government introduced a new Criminal Code explicitly addressing the under-reported issue of bacha bazi. The practice involves older men taking advantage of young boys in vulnerable situations and has increased since the fall of the Taliban regime. Although introducing new laws banning bacha bazi is a welcome move, the issue extends far beyond national laws.
April 10, 2019, English, Long read, Magazine
The people of Afghanistan must be allowed to take part in the peace work. Otherwise, there will be no pourable peace, the debater writes.
Of: Andreas Stefansson
After almost 40 years of war, peace agreements may be close in Afghanistan. But achieving real peace requires more than a signed paper. Sustainable peace presupposes local anchoring and meaningful inclusion of the civilian population, writes Andreas Stefansson at the Swedish Afghanistan Committee.
March 12, 2019, Debate
Is biofuel good or bad? Biogas-powered garbage truck in Skellefteå, Sweden.
Of: Maja Sundstrand
Yes, that is the question that several debaters are trying to answer, because there seems to be a lot of talk and a little workshop in development policy. This applies above all to human rights, but also to climate policy and sustainability.
December 19, 2018, Current debate
Human rights activists in London are protesting against the arms trade with Saudi Arabia. Photo: Campaign Against Arms Trade (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Of: Celina Lindgren
The murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi still makes its mark on the Swedish debate. At the same time, other debaters are worried about Jair Bolsonaro's victory in the Brazilian presidential election. In addition, Sweden's deportations of children, and incorrect figures on the number of climate refugees, are being debated.
October 31, 2018, Current debate
Where has Sweden's commitment and responsibility for Antarctica taken? several debaters wonder.
Of: Christina Arvidsson
Following the suspected assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashouggi, several debaters are demanding an end to Swedish arms exports to Saudi Arabia. Other debaters wonder where Sweden's commitment and responsibility for Antarctica has gone.
October 24, 2018, Current debate
Of: Mona Monasar
I have attended the seminar "Make aid useful in Afghanistan". My view of the situation and how aid works in Afghanistan is not very broad. I do not really know what to expect from the conversation. The seminar opens with Adam Pain, visiting professor from SLU, who asks the rhetorical question: “What would Afghanistan look like if […]
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October 2, 2018, Chronicle
Of: Jamila Haider
Food is often seen as a basic need that needs to be covered before we can address other values in society. But food can also be a bridge that includes marginalized groups in the development process, writes Jamila Haider, doctoral student at Stockholm Resilience Center with experience from Afghanistan.
May 8, 2017, Debate
Of: Anders Oljelund
"Without security no development and without development no security" is stated in political speeches. But what does that mean in practice? Synergies between security efforts and aid efforts can be found, but it is very complicated and requires careful coordination. Anders Oljelund writes this on the occasion of the ongoing Afghanistan investigation.
June 9, 2016, Debate
Of: Anna Karin Johansson
Despite good intentions, the Western world has not achieved security and development in Afghanistan. One reason for this is that most of the financial support has gone to military operations. In addition, cooperation with the military has damaged the credibility of civilian aid actors, writes Anna-Karin Johansson, Secretary General of the Swedish Afghanistan Committee, in connection with the ongoing Afghanistan investigation.
June 2, 2016, Debate