Felicia Linsér was FUF's correspondent in Tirana, Albania, during the spring. During her stay, she met with several activists to discuss the situation in the country. Photos: Felicia Linsér/Utvecklingsmagasinet
Of: Felicia Linsér
An ambitious government is enacting laws aimed at strengthening human rights and bringing Albania closer to the goal of EU membership in 2027. But behind the reforms and legal changes, criticism from journalists and activists is growing. Felicia Linsér, FUF's correspondent, describes snapshots from the spring in Tirana.
July 8, 2026, FUF-correspondents, Think piece
The human rights organization IRC warns that return hubs risk becoming "de facto prisons" without legal protection. Image: Joshua Brown/Pexels
Of: Milla Beslic Löfdahl
The final negotiations on the EU's new migration pact have now begun. If the proposal for “return hubs” becomes a reality, migrants could be deprived of their liberty och sent to migration centers in countries outside the EU awaiting deportation. Critics warn that the rule of law and human rights are at risk of being disregarded.
April 16, 2026, News, Sweden 2026
Cyprus is the member state holding the rotating presidency of the Council. . Pictured is Cyprus' Minister for the Environment Maria Payiotou together with Swedish EU Commissioner Jessica Roswall, responsible for the environment, water resilience and a circular economy. Image: PIO Rep. of Cyprus/Flickr
Of: Ellie Lönnberg
This week, EU climate ministers met in Cyprus with the aim of finding a way to strengthen their position ahead of future climate negotiations. France entered the negotiations with the message that trade and climate aid can be used to a greater extent to drive the global transition.
February 25, 2026, News
In the debater's opinion, the EU needs to realize that many more actors are competing for the African Union's attention. Image: collage in Canva.
Of: Lennart Wohlgemuth
Big words, joint declarations – and small results. That's what we see when the EU and the African Union meet for summits. Most recently in Angola, writes development expert Lennart Wohlgemuth, who wants to see the unions establish real cooperation.
February 25, 2026, Debate
The Lobito Corridor is an infrastructure project that will streamline the transport of minerals from the DRC and Zambia to the coast of Angola for further export to the US and the EU. Image: Collage - European Union 2015 - European Parliament/Fairphone/Flickr
Of: Mona Adam Abdi
LobitoThe corridor is described as a strategic infrastructure project to streamline the export of minerals from Africa. With support from the US and the EU, the initiative is seen as a step towards increased trade – but at the same time raises concerns about unsustainable working conditions and continued foreign dominance over the continent's natural resources.
April 10, 2025, Development magazine explains
In the middle, the then EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Utriainen, during a Global Gateway Forum 2023 together with (from right) board member of Africa Finance Corporation, Angolan Minister of Economic Coordination, Congolese Deputy for Transport and Communications, Zambian Minister of Finance and National planning, US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security and finally Vice Chairman of the Development Bank Group. Image: Nicolas Landemard/Wikimedia Commons.
Of: Patrik Ölvestad
In an interview with Utvecklingsmagasinet tells Chloe The tee van, expert on the think tank European Center for Development Policy Manageement (ECDPM), om digital infrastructure as a tool for local societysdevelopment and reflects on how well these initiatives succeed to respond to civil society needs in the African partner countries.
December 16, 2024, Interview
For over 50 years, the al-Assad family has ruled Syria. Inside the country and around the world, Syrians and others have expressed their displeasure. Here in London in 2011. This weekend, rebel forces captured the capital Damascus and thus seem to have put an end to the regime's time in power. Image: Eman Jueid for Aslan Media/Flickr
Of: Patrik Ölvestad
The debate about the EU's and Sweden's attitude to the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli leaders intensify and the country democratic status is questioned. The weekend saw the end of the al-Assad family's rule in Syria, but debaters are still holding their breath both regarding the future in Damascus and further north in Georgia.
December 9, 2024, Current debate
The COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is taking place in what could be the hottest year on record. Collage: Canva.
Of: Ofelia Gedda
Last week, COP29 began, but in the absence of many of the world leader. Even Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has chosen not to participate in the meeting, which according to this week's debaters seems to be more about money than the climate. Many also argued for the importance of a united Europe as US support falters.
November 18, 2024, Current debate
Women's negative special position on the labor market is often connected to the fact that they have children and are on parental leave. This is, for example, the case in Austria and the cultural neighbors Germany and Switzerland. "There is an unspoken expectation for women to do the unpaid work in the home," says Austrian social anthropologist and preschool teacher Hannah Büchel to Utvecklingsmagasinet. Photo: Agnes Fältman.
Of: Agnes Fältman
quo and want to see a change.
June 24, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Reportage
