Liberals: Democracy aid must be a priority

The Liberals want Sweden to set aside at least one percent of GNI for development assistance. In addition, the party believes that sometimes the additions require assistance - for example, to Ukraine right now. It writes the Liberals' foreign policy spokesman Joar Forssell. Photo: manhhai. Source: Flickr.

Of: Joar Forssell

For the Liberals, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights are the most important goals of aid. Swedish development assistance money should never go to finance those who oppress or counteract a democratic development. Free people in free societies build prosperity. In all contexts, it must be clear which side Sweden is on, namely those who are free. It writes Joar Forssell, foreign policy spokesman for the Liberals. 

June 3, 2022, Debate

Week 18: Debaters warn of cuts in aid

Instead of taking money from development aid to pay for refugee reception, Sweden should increase support for farmers in poor parts of the world, in order to counter a global food crisis. This is what Anna Tibblin, Secretary General of We Effect, and Anna-Karin Hatt, CEO of the Swedish Farmers' Association (LRF), write in a debate article in SvD. Pictured: Mauritania, which in 2012 was hit by a serious food crisis. Photo: Oxfam International. Source: Flickr.

Of: Alice Eriksson

Last week warned debaters for the consequences of reducing Swedish aid when the UN flags that billions of people in the world could be starved due to the war in Ukraine, while the question about nuclear weapons was a part of the continued NATO debate. 

May 9, 2022, Current debate

The goal formulation "decent working conditions" is missing in Sweden's new Africa strategy

Workers at a soap factory. The factory has no connection to the statements in the article below. Photo: GCShutter Source: Canva.

Of: Lina Kallio

The government's new Africa strategy is criticized after the goal formulation of "improved conditions for productive jobs with decent working conditions, especially for women and young people" was removed. This risks having negative consequences, especially for the young population of the African continent, union voices tell the newspaper Omvärlden.  

May 2, 2022, News

Five lessons from Russia's war in Ukraine on aid and development policy

In March, the Social Democratic government announced that costs for Swedish refugee reception would be deducted from development assistance. Magnus Walan, senior policy adviser at Diakonia, thinks the opposite - more aid to, among other things, promote democracy in the world, not less. He writes this in a guest analysis on Utvecklingsmagasinet. Photo: The Social Democrats. Source: Flickr.

Of: Magnus Walan

There is a debate going on about what lessons we can learn from Russia's war in Ukraine. Much of the debate is about NATO, but there are also lessons for Swedish foreign, development and development policy. How can politics become better at preventing conflicts and wars? Magnus Walan, senior policy advisor at Diakonia, lists five lessons.

April 11, 2022, Guest analysis

Week 14: Debaters critical of aid being used for refugee reception

"If Sweden is to continue to be seen as a pioneering country in development aid, we must be prepared to lead - not by creatively trying to circumvent the main purpose of development aid." Several leaders of Swedish aid organizations write about the government's announcement that Sweden's refugee reception should be able to be deducted from the aid. Pictured: informal settlements in Yemen. Photo: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. Source: Flickr.

Of: Fanny Andersson and Julia Lundén Azzeddine

The leadership continues to be largely dominated by political consequences stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine. But now voices are also beginning to be raised about Swedish development assistance and the need to also focus on other humanitarian issues.

April 11, 2022, Current debate

Continued humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan could be the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN Food Program WFP. Photo: Pixabay.

Of: Samira Issa

Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021, many countries have reduced or stopped extensive funding for the country. But several countries are continuing with humanitarian aid.

March 4, 2022, Notis

Continued devastation after Typhoon Rai in the Philippines

The destruction of Typhoon Rai in Debu City, Philippines. Picture from December 2021. Photo: Martin Michlmayr. Source: Wikimedia.

Of: Lisa Busch

About two months after typhoon Rai struck the Philippines, the damage is still great. More than 350 people have died and tens of thousands of people are still being displaced from their homes and lacking basic necessities.

February 17, 2022, News

Week 1: "The most serious security policy situation in Europe in decades"

Putin does not accept the basics of the European security system. Pål Jonson and Hans Wallmark (M) write this in a debate article on SvD.

Of: Elise Olsson and Ulrika Granlund

Last week's debate was marked by concerns about the security situation in Europe and the threat from Russia. The question of whether Swedish development assistance can be withdrawn for countries that refuse to accept their citizens who are staying illegally in Sweden has also been discussed.

January 10, 2022, Current debate

More and more people are aware of the Global Goals

In Sida's survey on Swedes' views on development assistance from December 2021, 51 percent of those surveyed answered that they had heard about the Global Goals. This is an increase of 14 percent since 2018. Photo: Canva.

Of: Linnea Ljungar

Women and highly educated people are more positive about development aid than other groups in Sweden, and more and more people are aware of the UN's 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. This is shown by a new survey from the Swedish development assistance authority Sida.

January 3, 2022, News

Withdrawal of development aid could accelerate the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan

This summer, protests were held around the world against the actions of the outside world during the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. Photo: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine

During the intensive news reporting on the Taliban regime's takeover of Afghanistan this summer, Sweden's aid authority Sida announced that they will end million payments in aid for development projects in the country. - It will destroy development programs concerning education, health and more, says Anders Fänge, Afghanistan expert and board member of the Swedish Afghanistan Committee.

December 8, 2021, Interview