Promoting local democracy: "Must make your voice heard"

In November, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) concluded the 2022 round of the Women's Leadership Program. The final workshop was held in Kigali, Rwanda. In the picture, this year's participants can be seen together with the Swedish politicians who through Sweden's Municipalities and Regions (SKR) are mentors in the program, as well as Rwanda's Minister for Gender Equality Jeannette Bayisenge and Sweden's ambassador to Rwanda Johanna Teague. Photo: ICLD.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Every year, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) organizes a leadership program for women in local political positions of power in low- and middle-income countries. The aim is to strengthen women in their leadership role to contribute to the development of local democracy. Development magazine has interviewed Anne Scheffer Leander, responsible for the program, about how the promotion of local democracy actually works in practice.  

January 23, 2023, Interview

Week 44: Debaters criticize the government on several points

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) received sharp criticism during last week's debate - among other things for having called Turkey a democracy. Photo: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima's Administration. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Elianne Kjellman and Ella Sjöbeck

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström's (M) statements about Turkey have stirred emotions during the past week's debate. The new government's aid and climate policy has also been debated. 

November 7, 2022, Current debate

Rare Brazilian ballot boxes both praised and criticized

Brazil uses electronic ballot boxes and technological solutions to identify voters in political elections. But this technology has been both praised and criticized. Pictured: Brazil's newly elected president - the left-wing leader Lula da Silva. Photo: Alexander Bonilla. Source: Flickr.

Of: Fredrik Govenius

Brazil is one of the few countries in the world that uses electronic ballot boxes and technology to identify the voter. The electoral authority in the country considers the system to be secure, while critics say it is vulnerable to hackers and that the lack of physical evidence of votes is problematic.

November 1, 2022, Development magazine explains

What are you doing on September 11th?

September 11 is election day in Sweden, and even more people should show their commitment to global development issues on the ballot. That is what FUF member Marcus Karlén writes in a column. Photo: Jens OZ Ehrs/Southerly Clubs. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Marcus Karlén

Election day is a day of celebration for Swedish democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of association and political equality. And even more should demonstrate their commitment to global development issues on the ballot and through political engagement. That's what Marcus Karlén, non-profit active within FUF, writes in a column about the parliamentary election on 11 September.

September 9, 2022, Chronicle

Russia's invasion puts pressure on Sweden's defense of democracy in Ukraine

Maidan Square where the 2014 riots launched Ukraine's quiet revolution. The silence refers to the engine of democracy that decentralization has been in Ukraine. Photo: Juan Antonio Segal. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Andreas Klawitter

The decentralization reform which has ongoing in Ukraine since 2014 has been described as one of the main reasons for the country's valiant resistance in the war against Russia - which was not included on the spreadsheets of analysts around the world. Sweden has a decisive importance for the continued survival of the reform.

July 28, 2022, Almedalen - article, Report

Johan Pehrson (L) highlighted democracy aid and NATO in his Almedal speech

In Johan Perhrson's (L) party leadership speech during Almedalen Week, he raised several foreign policy issues - including the EU, NATO and Swedish democracy assistance.

Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine, Andreas Klawitter and Elin Malmqvist

"The school's biggest champion". This is how the Liberals' party leader Johan Pehrson was introduced at Tuesday's second party leadership speech during Almedalen Week 2022. When Pehrson left Sweden and the school world for a while, he highlighted, among other things, the security policy situation in the world and Swedish democracy assistance. 

July 6, 2022, Almedalen - article, News

After-talk with FUF: That was Almedalen Week

Date and time: 7 July, 16:05

Did the party leaders even mention issues related to sustainable and fair global development in their party leadership numbers? Which global issues and people have had to take place during the week and which have been missing? Who has stepped wrong and who had something particularly interesting to say? If you want answers to all these questions, you can listen in and […]

June 29, 2022, Almedalen - after-talk, Almedalen - event, Calendar, Seminars

After-talk with FUF: Wednesday at Almedalen Week

Date and time: 6 July, 19:55

Did the party leaders even mention issues related to sustainable and fair global development in their party leadership numbers? Which global issues and people have had to take place during the day and which have been missing? Who has stepped wrong and who had something particularly interesting to say? If you want answers to all these questions, you can listen in and […]

June 29, 2022, Almedalen - after-talk, Almedalen - event, Calendar, Seminars

After-talk with FUF: Tuesday at Almedalen Week

Date and time: 5 July, 19:55

Did the party leaders even mention issues related to sustainable and fair global development in their party leadership numbers? Which global issues and people have had to take place during the day and which have been missing? Who has stepped wrong and who had something particularly interesting to say? If you want answers to all these questions, you can listen in and […]

June 29, 2022, Almedalen - after-talk, Almedalen - event, Calendar, Seminars

After-talk with FUF: Monday at Almedalen Week

Date and time: 4 July, 19:55

Did the party leaders even mention issues related to sustainable and fair global development in their party leadership numbers? Which global issues and people have had to take place during the day and which have been missing? Who has stepped wrong and who had something particularly interesting to say? If you want answers to all these questions, you can listen in and […]

June 29, 2022, Almedalen - after-talk, Almedalen - event, Calendar, Seminars