According to the Tidö Agreement, which was concluded between the government and the Sweden Democrats in October 2022, Swedish aid must be a tool to counter irregular migration. Pictured: Tidö Castle and Sweden Democrats party leader Jimmie Åkesson. Photo: Aplstedt/News Øresund. Source: Wikimedia municipality.
Of: Karin Myrdal
Dropped one percent target, withdrawn research funds for development studies and synergies between trade and aid. That's how it has sounded so far this year when the Tidö parties' reform agenda for Swedish aid policy has started to take shape. Critical voices have been raised both from civil society and from the political oppthe osition – not least that reaction to the proposal to use aid as a means of pressure to increase return migration from Sweden.
July 12, 2023, Reportage
"Trade and aid are two sides of the same coin," says Aid and Foreign Trade Minister Johan Forssell (M) (right in picture). However, the Africa groups' secretary general Louise Lindfors (on the left in the picture) is worried that aid will become a subgroup of trade issues. Photo: FUF.
Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine
- M
July 12, 2023, Reportage
On Thursday, Muharrem Demirok (C) held his party leadership speech in Almedalen - in which he criticized the government's climate policy, among other things. FUF also interviewed Jan Eliasson, former foreign minister and deputy secretary-general of the UN, about the effects of the government's reform of aid policy.
Of: The Chancellery
During Thursday, both Magdalena Andersson (S) and Muharrem Demirok (C) criticized the government's climate policy in their party leadership speeches. The African groups' general secretary Louise Lindfors and Jan Eliasson, former foreign minister and deputy secretary general of the UN, questioned the government's reform of aid in interviews with FUF. - I think the reform is going very quickly, says Jan Eliasson.
June 30, 2023, Almedalen - current
Märta Stenevi (MP) returned to criticism of the Tidö agreement in her Almedal speech, but she also mentioned the consequences of the climate crisis around the world and criticized the government's focus on the rapprochement between trade and aid. Photo: Axel Selin and Nora Nattorp.
Of: Axel Selin and Nora Nattorp
Märta Stenevi (MP) focused on climate, integration and the current government's policy in her party leadership speech. Global issues were generally given little space in the speech, but she touched on, among other things, the oppression of authoritarian leaders around the world and criticized the government's aid policy.
June 29, 2023, Almedalen - current
On Wednesday, FUF asked Johan Forssell (M) questions about the government's reform of aid - and the cuts in funding for development research. Photo: Felizia Livskog.
Of: The Chancellery
On Wednesday, Ulf Kristersson (M) held his party leadership speech in Almedalen, where he touched on migration and Sweden's EU presidency, which is beginning to suffer towards its end, among other things. FUF also asked questions to Aid and Foreign Trade Minister Johan Forssell (M) and Sida's Director General Carin Jämtin about the connection between trade and aid.
June 28, 2023, Almedalen - current
Aid Minister Johan Forsell (M) and State Secretary Diana Janse invited civil society to get input on the aid reform agenda - which will be drawn up during the year. During the meeting, several organizations highlighted that it is unclear what the government actually means by effective aid. Photo: FUF.
Of: Alice Mutambala
During Friday met several civil society organizations Aid Minister Johan Forssell (M) and State Secretary Diana janse for to discuss the reform agenda for the aid – to be designed under 2023. The link between trade and aid and what effective and transparent aid actually means were some of them the discussion points.
May 5, 2023, News
Agricultural aid is a low priority in Swedish aid, but the Africa Groups' secretary general, Louise Lindfors, believes that it is central to development in southern Africa. Photo: Department of foreign affairs and trade/Africa groups. Source: Flickr/Africa groups.
Of: Amanda Rossling
a revolutionary time for Sweden's civil society organisations. restructuring as the Swedish government has done in aid has meant both cuts to developing countries and to civil society in Sweden.
April 12, 2023, Interview
Foreign-born women are an overlooked resource, and change is required for this group to be integrated into the labor market. That's what debaters from the Soraya support center write in Dagens ETC. Photo: southworks. Source: Canva.
Of: Elianne Kjellman and Ellen Norman
During last week discussionhonored editorial and debate writers among other things, that foreign-born women are an untapped resource - as Sweden overlooks them in the labor market. Tthe error threat from IS and that the cuts in aid affect the development of knowledge both in Sweden and other countries has also debated.
March 20, 2023, Current debate
During the week, several debaters have pointed out the difficulties in getting help to people in north-eastern Syria who have been affected by the earthquake. Photo: Begum Iman, European Union. Source: Flickr.
Of: Sidra Amir
During the past week, writers on Swedish debate and editorial pages have both directed criticism at Sweden's aid policy and at the fact that aid does not reach those in need in Syria after the earthquakes. The Swedish environmental target system has also been the subject of debate. SD's environmental policy spokesperson calls it a "resource-demanding monster", while civil servant Magnus Eriksson highlights the strengths of the system.
February 21, 2023, Current debate
- We have had to look at the priorities and prioritize after that, it is based on a need to find funding for Ukraine, says State Secretary Diana Janse about the government's new aid policy, which includes cuts in several areas. Photo: The Association for Development Issues (FUF).
Of: Alice Mutambala
The government's new aid policy means increased support to Ukraine, but also several reductions – including in support to the UN, information work and research. These priorities and away priorities were in focus when Diana janse, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation, met civil society in an armchair conversation at FUF.
January 25, 2023, News
