Lobito Corridor: A billion-dollar project in central Africa raises questions

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

EU proposal to centralize aid faces sharp criticism

In the period 2024–2029, the EU's global work will prioritise enlargement of the Union, the neighbourhood, economic cooperation and reform of the multilateral system. Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, will lead this work within the framework of development cooperation. Image: CC-BY-4.0/European Parliament/Flickr

Of: Nora Sargin

A leaked internally paper from European foreign service (EEAS) suggests to aid workers moved from EUdelegations i 80 countries to 18 regional hubs. The purpose is said to be to efficiencyra the work, men criticismer warns for reduced lokal norvaro and ett Shift away from̊n rightgoat-based assistance. 

March 27, 2025, News

The EU and the African Union's digital infrastructure – a tool for local development?

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 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

Week 49: Power transitions and political challenges in Syria and Georgia and continued discussions on ICC arrest warrants

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

Week 46: A criticized climate summit and the importance of a united Europe 

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

Great challenge with gender equality in German-speaking Europe

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

In a part of Europe where a woman's role has long meant being a housewife, a new old structure has emerged: female part-time work in combination with unpaid work in the home. As a result, the German-speaking countries have among the largest wage differences between women and men in all of Europe. But today's young people increasingly question status quo and want to see a change. 

June 24, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Reportage

The EU's war against the tech giants could be fatal

The European Commission, headed by President Ursula von der Leyen, has targeted tech giants such as Google and Apple. And the EU's constant war against the tech giants creates a bad reputation among technology companies, writes Jakob Kerren, FUF correspondent based in Brussels. Photo: EU Parliament. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Jakob Kerren

Brussels has repeatedly collided with de global the tech giants. Ofta justified. But the EU should try to shake things up av sig the anti-technology image if you want to have a chance at it the race om the future 

June 7, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Think piece

Opportunities and risks with the EU's new migration pact

New migration cooperation in the EU has long been high on the agenda, not least since the so-called refugee crisis in 2015. The development magazine explains what the EU's new migration pact is about - and the voices for and against it. Photo (left): Håkan Dahlström. Source: Wikimedia commons. Photo (right): Mstyslav Chernov. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Adam hansen

I April voted EU finally through one ny migration pact. While the wide middle in the European Parliament believes that the pact constitutes an important compromise and creates solidarity, both human rights organizations and voices critical of immigrants have criticized the agreement. The development magazine sort out the arguments for and emot the pact. 

June 5, 2024, Development magazine explains

The EU's humanitarian aid – this is at stake in the EU elections 

During the last 30 years, humanitarian aid has become an important part of the EU's work. But the upcoming parliamentary elections may change the direction of the EU as a humanitarian aid actor. Photo: EU/Louiza Ammi. Source: Flickr. 

Of: Adam hansen

With an increased global need for humanitarian aid, the EU's role as an aid actor has become more important than ever. But which part of the EU is responsible for humanitarian aid? Which principles govern? And how can it forthcoming will the parliamentary elections affect the EU's aid? The development magazine unravels the answersn on these questions.  

June 4, 2024, Development magazine explains

Why should you vote in the EU elections?

June 6 to 9 are the EU elections. Karin Flordal from Sieps believes that it is an important right, but also an obligation, to make one's voice heard. Photo (left): European Parliament. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photo (right): Karin Flordal. Source: Sieps.

Of: Elianne Kjellman

On June 6 to 9, the EU elections take place. Decisions made at EU level affect us all the time, both big and small. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to understand what the election actually means. The development magazine has talked to Karin Flordal, investigator at Swedish Institute for European Political Studies (Sieps), as believes that one does not need to be an expert on EU issues to vote in the future parliamentsthe choice. 

June 3, 2024, Interview