Sweden - worth defending
(05:03) 13.30-14.10 Sweden - worth defending
Swedish defense and security policy, as well as our ability to protect the state, society and the population, have for a long period been in focus for opinion and debate. 200 years of peace is a recurring theme in the discussion about Sweden's security and our long period of stability is continuously highlighted as fundamental to the common view of the meaning and need for security. However, a deteriorating security situation and a troubled environment in turbulent development have once again shifted focus to risks, vulnerabilities and highlighted the need for a developed and comprehensive defense of what is worth protecting. When the brochure If the Crisis or the War Will Come was distributed again, the population was again met with a message that the security and safety of society is a joint effort and that a troubled world may put our ability to the test. That security and our way of life is not a given.
Concepts such as the will to defend and popular support are highlighted as prerequisites for increased resilience to threats and insecurity, and in the long run, the responsibility for our common security and safety is shared between everyone in Swedish society.
Overall / main issues
- What role does / should the individual play in the creation of Swedish security?
- What does total defense, civil defense, crisis preparedness and military defense mean and what do we value as worthy of protection in today's society?
- How is the idea of a joint responsibility for safety and security created, communicated and anchored?
Moderator:
Morgan Olofsson, Communications Director, MSB
Speaker:
Emelie Weski, Vice President of LSU
PJ Anders Linder, Editor-in-Chief, Axess
Amanda Wollstad, Editor-in-Chief, Svensk tidsskrift
“Mötesplats Samhällssäkerhet”
“Mötesplats Samhällssäkerhet” is Sweden's largest meeting place for everyone who works in social security and has been arranged since 2011. We are now more relevant than ever and together with you and your colleagues we can be part of Sweden's most important meeting place. The meeting place is arranged by Easyfairs in collaboration with MSB - Swedish civil contingencies agency and SKR -Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.
On March 23-24, 2021, the meeting place will for the first time be held as a completely digital conference and exhibition. We see this as an exciting opportunity to reach as many people as possible under the prevailing circumstances.
This year's themes
Ahead of the forthcoming Meeting Place Social Security, two main themes are presented:
Crisis preparedness and society's resilience: Here, the experiences of society's strengths and weaknesses in the management of Covid-19 will form the basis of a further discussion on how society's capacity can further increase to strengthen society's crisis preparedness and resilience.
Society in the gray zone and war: This track is based on the development of the total defense, with special focus on the civilian components.
Program managers are Henrik Karlsson and Victor Canvert.
Guest at the Society & Defence Podcast: The Role of Young People in Peace & Security
This text is translated to English and was originally published here.
More than half of the world's population today is under the age of 30 and today's young generation is the largest ever. In countries affected by conflict and armed violence, a majority of the population is young and young people are one of the groups in society most affected by armed conflict - who are driven into exile or deprived of opportunities for education and security. In security policy contexts, young people have often been highlighted as a problem that must be solved. Many are attracted to pro-violence environments and join extremist and pro-violence organizations, while young people have for a long time been a transformative movement through grassroots popular movements and through protests and demonstrations around the world.
A clear recognition of the often forgotten age group of young adults, 18–29 years, was when the UN Security Council in 2015 adopted Resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security. The resolution is the first of its kind and emphasizes the importance of young people's participation and inclusion in building peace and security - a group that is usually excluded from political decision-making. This year, the resolution celebrates five years and together with the closely related resolution 1325, women, peace and security, which this year celebrates 20 years, the door to more inclusive peace processes has been opened.
Sweden is at the forefront of young people, peace and security. Despite this, youth movements and organizations, both in Sweden and internationally, believe that the implementation of Resolution 2250 is not enough and that more work is required. No national action plans to implement the agenda have yet been developed, but several countries, including Finland, are currently working on an action plan to include young people's perspectives on peace and security, linked to young people's participation in public debate and decision - making.
Conflict, crime and violence, as well as social and economic exclusion can affect young Swedes in a variety of ways, just as much as armed conflicts can affect young people in conflict-affected areas. In the Swedish debate, young people's participation and inclusion in society is often highlighted in connection with discussions about how Sweden can fight extremism and reduce the risk of young people being attracted to violent environments, however, the connection to young people's positive role as a peacemaker in a peacetime context is rarely mentioned. Sweden.
What can the implementation of youth, peace and security agenda mean for international peace and security? What has the work of including young people in peace and state-building processes looked like in countries such as Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo? Which young people will be included, and how can Swedish politicians and decision-makers work with the agenda, and in what contexts?
These and many more issues will be discussed in this section of the People and Defense podcast. Participating are Emelie Weski, vice president of LSU-Sweden's youth organizations, Julius Kramer who works with young people, peace and security at the Folke Bernadotte Academy, and Aria Nakhaei who is the founder and head of operations for the defense and security policy network Säkerhetsforum Väst.
The podcast is created by Hanna Waerland-Fager and edited by Amandah Andersson.
The jingle is produced by Die Hard Productions.
You listen to the podcast here, or where podcasts are available.
Live Event: International outlook: The UN turns 75! Crisis and Cooperation. Oct 24
DON'T MISS * SUPER EVENT 24 OCT * with Jan Eliasson former secretary general to the UN, Margot Wallström former minister of foreign affairs and Change Rebels’ host Emelie Weski.
During its 75 years, the UN has undergone various upheavals and crisis situations that have been handled on the basis of organisational, institutional and operational methods, such as the adoption of the HR declaration, conventions, a series of action programs, the Millennium Development Goals, Agenda 2030 etc. Today, the UN is under pressure due to major shifts in power in the world and problems with funding.
The UN's mission is peace, human rights and development. How the mission has been carried out over the years can be illustrated from a number of different perspectives that also shed light on how states have handled their mission. Such perspectives are, for example, the role and importance of civil society, women's rights and the involvement of young people.
The seminar is conducted in the form of two panels that focus on crisis and cooperation.
Do you want to participate on site?
More practical information here.
The panels will also be broadcasted live on ABF Stockholm's Facebook page
13: 00-14: 15 Panel 1 on Crisis
Participants:Clara Berglund, Secretary General of the Swedish Women's Lobby
Jan Eliasson, Chairman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute SIPRI, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations
Margareta Wahlström, chair of the Swedish Red Cross, former longtime employee of the UN in New York
Moderator:Annika Schabbauer, Chief of Staff of the organization Operation 1325'
PAUSE
14: 45-16: 00 Panel 2 on Cooperation
Participants:Mats Karlsson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Ministry, author of parts of the UN report Our Global Neighborhood 1995 (Carlsson-Ramphalk Commission), former Worldbank and head of the Foreign Policy Institute
Margot Wallström, former Minister of Foreign Affairs during Sweden's two years in the UN United Nations Security Council and EU Commissioner
Emelie Weski, vice president of LSU - Swedish Youth Organizations and Global Focal Point for SDG16 at the UNMGCY
Moderator:Anna Sundström, Secretary General at Olof Palme International Center
The event takes place between 13-16.
Venue: Katasalen, plan 1
Note! We at ABF Stockholm of course apply the Public Health Authorities' restrictions / recommendations. Therefore, we limit the number of visitors to our premises to a maximum of 50 people (including participants). The furniture in the hall is adapted to the recommended distance of 1.5 - 2 meters. We ask all our visitors to respect this. Welcome!
FREE ENTRY
Updated information on the ABF website.
Live Event: International Youth Forum Oct 9-10
Podcast host Emelie Weski speaks at the International Youth Forum “Brussels Dialogue-2020”. "Shared history and common future. 75 years responsibility for peace"
«Brussels Dialogue» is an international youth dialogue platform, created in 2019 by the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Brussels.
The first forum took place on 26 October 2019 and gathered more than 300 participants. The event aroused great interest among European and Belgian youth. Topics covered included: academic diplomacy, public diplomacy, economic future, new technologies.
In 2020, in the year of the 75th anniversary of Victory and the end of the Second World War and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the second forum "Brussels Dialogue" it is planned to be held on 9-10 October 2020 (in online/ "hybrid" format). The Forum will be dedicated to the preservation of historical memory, as well as to the role of international cooperation within the UN and the Council of Europe and the role of youth in the 21st century to ensure and develop world peace established after World War II.
The main goal of the Forum is to promote dialogue between young people from Russia and European countries, and creation of a common cultural, scientific, information and educational space, inviting the youth of European countries to cooperate with peers from Russia.
12.30-14.00 CET on Saturday 10th of October, 2020.
“The role of youth in peace-building: yesterday, today, tomorrow”Panelists:
Expert from the UN Youth Sector: Emelie Weski, Representative of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth Global Focal Point SDG 16, Vice-President of the National Youth Council of Sweden
Expert from Belgium: Jan Vanhee, European and International Youth Policy - EU Youth affairs attaché of the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU
Expert from the UN youth sector: Lina Achour, representative of UN Youth Delegate Programme from Belgium
Expert from Russia: Ivan Timofeev the director of programs of the Russian International Affairs Council
Expert from the youth sector of the Council of Europe: Pegah Maysa Moulana, member of the Advisory Council on Youth of Council of Europe
Expert from the European Youth Forum: Jovana Majstorovic, Board Member of the European Youth Forum
Moderator:
Konstantin Kolpakov, Chairman of the Council of Young Diplomats Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Live Event: Decolonize Peace
75 years after the end of WWII, and on International Day of Peace, #IYC4Peace, under the patronage of International Youth Centre - Malaysia, in collaboration with UN Major Group for Children and Youth, Friends for Leadership, among other partners, will come together to discuss meaningful youth engagement in #SouthSouthCooperation and #YouthPeaceSecurity. Under the umbrella of “Youth4Peace in the Better Normal: Local, Regional and Decolonial Approaches to Youth, Peace, Security” this breakout session was hosted by the Change Rebels podcast host Emelie Weski covering the European and North America region.
Panelists:
Aniqah Zowmi, you have multiple roles working in particular with girl’s issues and youth inclusion in Canada. You are also a Regional Focal Point for the United Nations Major Group of Children and Youth (MGCY); and a Youth Advisor to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO). You also served as a Lead Author for the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education and Peace for Sustainable Development’s publication, a Youth-Led Guide on Preventing Violent Extremism through Education.
Isatou Svenungsson, you represent the Swedish youth organization Tamam. Most of your work revolves around anti-racist methods and how to combat the racism that youths face as the organize themselves in civil society. You are also the chair of the newly-founded Afro-Institution that aims to support Afroswedes in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Pegah Moulana, is a human rights activist based in Europe, mostly focusing on the impact of armed conflicts on youth’s human rights. Her advocacy work has been targeting the human rights body - the Council of Europe, and she is currently the Chairperson of the Programming Committee on Youth. Most recently her work focuses on the role of environment in the maintenance of peace and establishment of democracy.
Ahad Shah. is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, in the US, and he has extensive experience from supporting at-risk communities, and international youth in the peace, environment, and policy sectors. He convenes teams of experts from around the world and develops programs around peace, justice, security, and the environment.
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Day & Time: 21 September | 7:30-9.30 AM EST (6.30am in Colombia, 12.30pm in Nigeria, 5pm in India, 7.30pm in Philippines)
7:30 AM EST Opening Session: Next Generation Leadership in Peace and Security with P5 Youth, and UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on the Right to Protect
9:00 AM EST Closing Session: Call to Action and the Formal Launch of #IYC4Peace
Public FB Live:
https://www.facebook.com/unmgcy
https://www.facebook.com/friendsforleadership
_________________________________________
Organizer: Regine Borja Guevara from,
International Secretariat på South South Council for Sustainable Development - SSCC
Conflict and Disasters - Youth Advisory Board på United Nations Philippines
UN Representative på Committee for ASEAN Youth Cooperation
International Peace Day
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
In the ‘Folk och Försvar’ Podcast
The Folk och Försvar podcast interviews
the Change Rebels podcast host Emelie Weski.
We talk about the state of youth, peace and security. Hate and threats targeting youth activists. And about the peace continuum.
Full episode expected late September.
Get involved!
The Change Rebels podcast is a not-for-profit, non-governmental-organisation. We just kicked of our journey and we would like you to get on that journey with us!
Right now we are looking for volunteers who would like to try out new things, are fearless, and want to contribute with their special skills and abilities.
Can you edit recordings? Are you awesome at communications? Do you want to try out your journalistic competencies? Are you a changemaker? Then Change Rebels might just be the place for you!
Send us an e-mail and let us know how you would like to get involved!
People with brave ideas and no sense of limitations are welcomed!
Write to: info@changerebels.org
Exclusive interview with Ann Linde - Transcript
Interview with Ann Linde, Sweden’s minister of foreign affairs. Transcribed and translated into English for the Change Rebels podcast.
Transcribed and translated into English for the Change Rebels podcast.
“It only strengthens me in my belief, that you must have active youth collaboration if you want to push things forward. It is young people who have brought this change forward.”
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Cool synth music intro and then synth music in background)
Today we are talking Swedish foreign policy. Our guest is one of the selected leaders to take point in a new global coalition for an accelerated global effort on gender equality. Together with her colleague, Sweden's Minister of Defence, she has also taken on another major mission during the fall: to update the international program of the political party of the Social Democrats, and indirectly the Swedish foreign policy. She began her career as a changemaker and youth activist in the role of Secretary General of LSU - the National Council of Swedish Youth Organizations and is today best known as - Sweden's Foreign Minister, Ann Linde.
With what mindset did you enter the role of Foreign Minister?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
Yes, it is actually the case that I have been working with international issues all my life, and before I got involved with LSU, you had to be part of a member organisation, so before that I was even part of something called SECO [a.k.a. Swedish Federation of Student Unions], which was the student organisation at that time.
Emelie Weski, podcast host:
Right.
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
It [SECO] has changed its name several times. I actually was a member of my first European board already when I was 15 or 16 years old. I believe international affairs is about working for peace, freedom and security. It is always better to resolve conflicts through dialogue than militarily. But it is difficult with dialogue. It is not just about cozying up a little, it is often a process full of struggles, but it is always the better choice. This is for example also why the EU is so important.
When I was part of LSU we had major discussions in LSU's board about whether we should join the European Youth Forum, even though we [Sweden] were not part of the EU. We did become an observer member.
To keep talking is super super hard sometimes. I think this is the key to resolving conflicts.
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Synth music in background)
When we met in January, at the annual conference of Society and Defence, there were mainly two items on [the security] agenda. Your, relatively new, appointment as Foreign Minister after Margot Wallström, specifically your different views on the arms exports. The second was the new order of geopolitics with China and Russia as front runners, after that President Trump and the United States had withdrawn from several global agreements. At that time we did not know that just a month later, that the whole world would be hit by a global pandemic. Something that at least temporarily, would silence millions of protesters who around the world in 2019 had arisen to drive democracy.
What impact has the past year had on Swedish peace and security policy?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
Yes, the last year has affected us very, very much. The polarisation between countries and within countries has become much more obvious, for example what is happening in Belarus now. Back then, we could not have imagined that it [Belarus] would be as big of an event as it is today. But we can come back to that.
We do have a great need for international cooperation. We are a medium-sized country in northern Europe and we are negatively affected if other countries do not wish to cooperate. It is a disadvantage that the UK is leaving the EU. It is not good for Sweden, not for the EU and not for Great Britain either. But we will be affected by it.
The United States has opted out of several co-operative bodies, not least the World Health Organisation, where it is important to have an international perspective and to co-operate. We have… there is a lot to do but basically it [WHO] functions well. And we have given a lot of support.
I would like for the United States to be an active partner and get involved. Right now when we are recording this podcast, the conventions, the convention of Democrats and Republicans, are taking place, and for me it is important to emphasise that we want an active United States. You do not resolve conflicts by leaving collaborations, you resolve conflicts by participating in collaborations.
Sweden must be strong, it must be secure, and we need to be a force to be reckoned with also as there are a lot of tensions.
“I believe that the settlement made in connection with the pandemic, with connected financial support to different countries, has actually become the tool that will work.”
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Synth music in background)
You just mentioned what is happening in Belarus, Sweden will next year also join OSSE’s [the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] leadership troika. There is already an Article 7 procedure against Hungary and Poland. And this week I spoke to a trans activist in Poland, and she had almost forgotten that there even was an Article 7 procedure against Poland. Can you tell us a little about what Sweden is doing to ensure that not only are new initiatives raised, but that they are also completed, implemented and have an effect?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
On the one hand, we do have good cooperation with Poland, they will after us... this year we are the chairman of the OSCE and part of the [OSCE leadership] troika, and then it is Poland after us. So we need to work closely together on peace and security issues. When it comes to the rule of law principles and not least the LGBTQ issues then we have very different views on development.
As EU Minister, I worked practically with the so-called Article 7 procedure. Which states that if a country does not uphold the EU’s values of democracy, human rights, the principles of the rule of law, all found in the EU treaty, the second paragraph, then you can initiate a procedure like this, which first leads to a political procedure, and then subsequently, it may lead to cuts in terms of support, of financial support and voting rights, and so on. What we have seen, in reality the measures have been far too weak, if you want to get any concrete results, unanimity is required. Both Poland and Hungary have said since the beginning that they will always support each other, so since the beginning it has been a given that the outcome would not end up the way the majority wishes it to turn out.
The good thing is that there have been hearings with Poland and Hungary on these topics. Which means that light is being shed on the issues.
I believe that the settlement made in connection with the pandemic, with connected financial support to different countries, has actually become the tool that will work. As part of the deal it says that now we will have to look at whether a country can receive money if they do not follow the principles of the rule of law, human rights, and so on. And the settlement does not require unanimity. I think that's the way things will be solved. Money bites. Conditionality in different budget contexts, foreign aid contexts… If you don’t follow this, you won’t get money. I think it is much more effective than what we have tried so far.
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Synth music in background)
You posted just yesterday on facebook, that you are about to update the international program of the Social Democrats, I thought this was very exciting. Clear input from me of course…Is that there today are 1.8 billion people aged 10-24 - that is the largest generation of young people ever in history. According to the UN's population prospect for 2019, young people also make up the majority of people living in places affected by armed conflict and violence. What do you think should be done to strengthen young people's freedom of action and meaningful participation in the building of peace and democracy? And what will you try to do in order to include youth in the drafting of your own international program?
“Young people have been absolutely crucial in raising the priority of these issues, and ultimately, putting them on the political agenda, these issues were nowhere to be found just some years ago.”
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
This is something that I hope many organisations and parties work on. The international program, it was quite a long time ago that my own party, the Social Democrats, it was when I was the international secretary in 2005, that we wrote it. We have had round tables and working groups, and then there is the main group of about 10 participants, including SSU [Social democrat Youth League], which is led by me and Peter Hultqvist [minister of defence], we want to include many topics, some had less relevance 15 years ago, but that have been pushed forward of very strong youth movements. I am thinking mainly of the climate and also sustainability issues in the broader context. But also LGBTQ rights. SRHR, Sexual, Reproductive and Health Rights. Young people have been absolutely crucial in raising the priority of these issues, and ultimately, putting them on the political agenda, where these issues were nowhere to be found just some years ago. Now we'll host what we call a ‘council’. That is, all members of the party will have the chance to discuss, while me and Peter Hultqvist will go out and talk. And that is what I believe in, not just from my own party, to get people involved in the discussions and not least young people.
As you mentioned, we had a meeting on gender issues and others. We have very consciously begun to talk about women, young women and girls. Not everyone appreciates it. Because they may not do it to the same extent. But it is quite obvious that there is a special vulnerability among young women and girls, where rape is used, and more, targeting young women and even girls in a way that is terrible. And the access to contraception, how to avoid becoming pregnant if you don’t wish for it, and the right to medical abortion, which now is declining around the world.
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Synth music in background)
In January, 5,000 children and young refugees were stranded on their way to Europe on the Greek islands. Many fled escalating violence in Syria, physical push backs from Turkey, and then they got stuck between EU’s borders and the corona pandemic. Since then, the EU, in part, has taken responsibility and made a promise to relocate a large part of these children and young people. But that decision did not include a promise from Sweden. What is the Swedish view and your view on Sweden’s responsibility to offer protection and asylum to children and youth?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
Sweden took an incomparable responsibility for children and young people during the big wave of refugees in 2015. There were over 70,000, of which 35,000 were unaccompanied minors. There is no state in Europe who comes close to the enormous responsibility that Sweden took then. Largest both in terms of per capita and second largest in terms of actual figures. So the responsibility that Sweden has taken is enormous. And, now we take the responsibility to expand schools and preschools, and all which this entails. So there is no basis whatsoever for saying that Sweden has not taken an enormous responsibility for children and young people who have fled. On the other hand, there is a basis for saying that all EU countries, that should take more responsibility, have not taken it. The resettlements that are being made right now, they are a drop in the ocean compared to what we have accomplished, and we should be proud of it. No one comes close.
Emelie Weski, podcast host:
I think there are many who are proud of the humanitarian work that Sweden does. But my follow-up question, as it were, can we really live on ‘old merites’ going towards the future? The number of refugees globally is, notably, extremely large. It will probably continue to increase. Countries even here in eastern Europe, may also soon be, a source of more refugees; LGBTQ refugees. So what you are saying, this means… You make it sound like we should be proud. But that's enough from now on. The protection and rights of asylum for children and young people will in the future not be something that Sweden is willing to provide for or stand by.
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
Sweden stands by the rights of asylum and we will continue to stand by the rights of asylum. ‘Old credentials’ is a somewhat sloppy wording as it comes down to young people whom we have made a lifelong commitment to, a commitment that from now on will apply a generation ahead. The important thing is that we get all these young people and children integrated into the Swedish society. So it is a long-term commitment. You could have talked about old merits if we just received them and then there was no commitment. This commitment will continue for many decades to come. And I mean, therefore, it is not possible to reason in this way: we did it then and then it's over. It continues for decades. And these are decisions that we, as future generations, will have to live with.
“But we continue to try to find out where these children are. If, and when possible, we want to bring all the children home. ”
Emelie Weski, podcast host: (Synth music in background)
There are several contexts that are difficult, challenging, and where children and young people in particular are in some kind of situation where they are in need of protection. For example, UNICEF reports that 50 children still remain in some kind of camp in Syria, they are children of ISIS[/ISIL]-fighters… But there are also other examples such as the situation of the Urghurs in China. How do you as the minister of foreign affairs, or how does Sweden, assess where to prioritise its resources? There are off course many who are in need… Are these contexts examples of what you imagine Sweden will get more involved in, in the future?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
I would say that we can not get more involved with the children in the Al Hol camp than we have already.
It is an extremely difficult situation. In the first place, we have decided that we must help those who are orphaned. The ones we have brought home to Sweden, they are orphaned. We were just about to bring home another group, but they have been hidden by their relatives.
The thing that is difficult is that this camp, where these children are being held with their mothers, is governed by the Kurdish regional organisation. And the organisation is saying that there are over 12,000 Kurds who have lost their lives in the fight against IS. These mothers are confined because they have been involved in IS, in different ways. Some to a large extent and other to a much smaller extent. The Kurds are saying that ‘we will not release the detainees until they have been held accountable’. Accountability is something that Sweden always supports, in all situations. All who have taken part in conflicts and violence, no matter how, should be held accountable. In itself, something very difficult to argue against.
As a result there may be that some of these women, after they have gone through the legal process, maybe three others have been convicted. But that is the kind of accountability that a legal process offers. A legal system has already begun to be set up, but it has been stalled temporarily due to covid.
When it comes to the children who are not orphans the Kurds are referencing to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children will not be released if their mothers have them. They don’t wish to separate these children from their mothers. This means that it has been very difficult for any European country to bring home children where there is still a mother in the picture. Something that has been possible with orphans.
But as I said, many of those who sit in these camps don’t want their children to grow up in a country where the values differ from what they believe, and where the view on society is different compared to the view they hold themselves. And it is therefore, not only when Sweden does it, but others too, that when we try to bring these children home, their relatives hide them.
And then you should know that over or around 70,000 people live in these camps, in large tents, and all the mothers wear hijabs. So if you think it's easy to find them... That's not the case.
But we continue to try to find out where these children are. If, and when possible, we want to bring all the children home. Because they are of course in a terrible situation. It is our firm belief that we must try to bring them home. But as the situation is now, it is extremely difficult. And this applies not only to Sweden but to all European countries in the same situation.
Emelie Weski, podcast host:
Hey, I think we have to wrap this up. A question to the coach, if you got the time?
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
Yes, shoot!
Emelie Weski, podcast host:
Yes!
You started your career as the secretary general of LSU - Sweden's youth organizations. And you have also personally been very quick to both make contact with and help draw attention to youth-led protests internationally. In Belarus, for example, you are applauded by their national youth council, RADA, for being one of the first international politicians to come out in support of the demonstrators' call for a democratic change in Belarus.
What impact do you think your background as a youth activist has had on you now as Foreign Minister?
“Getting involved, the passion to correct injustices, and not least the network, and the belief that it is possible to create change - that is what I carry with me as Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Ann Linde, minister of foreign affairs:
It impacts me a lot. Both when it comes to this strong feeling you get against injustices when you are active as a young person. You have fire and you also learn that you can create change. But that change takes time and that there can be setbacks.
We started, back when I became international secretary in 2000, we started with our campaign for a free and democratic Belarus. So it is a long term engagement. And I would like to say that what you learn as a youth activist, the contacts you make as a youth activist, it is completely priceless. You benefit from it all your life. To meet RADA, which is LSU's equivalent, you might say, in Belarus, and hear how they talk about LSU. And this ‘shrinking space’ collaboration between Swedish youth organizations and LSU and Belarusian youth organizations and RADA. It only strengthens me in my belief, that you must have active youth collaboration if you want to push things forward. It is young people who have brought this change forward. Getting involved, the passion to correct injustices, and not least the network, and the belief that it is possible to create change - that is what I carry with me as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(Synth music outro abrupted by morse code)
In ‘Aktuell Säkerhet’
Aktuell säkerhet writes about Change Rebels and its first three episodes on the democratic developments in Belarus.
Call For Help!
LSU, the national council of Swedish youth organisations, has had a sister relationship with RADA for many years. They are united in a global partnership, including eight countries. Together they are fighting shrinking space, building leadership capacity, and supporting one another financially and organically. Since the escalating events in Belarus we watch an emergency develop in Belarus. Our existing funds are not enough and cannot be used for this purpose - but now they are in urgent need of OUR SUPPORT.
If you would like to support RADA, you can swish to LSU's number, and mark your deposit with RADA. On all RADA-marked deposits, the money goes to them in full.
Swish: 123 690 58 48
(only for Swedish citizens)
For more information about the campaign go to LSU’s webpage.
For more information about RADA click here.
Appeal of the “RADA” in relation with the situation after presidential elections in Belarus.
A podcast is born
After much consideration and contemplation Change Rebels’ podcast is finally available in all your usual sound clouds! In each episode…
After much consideration and contemplation Change Rebels podcast is finally available in all your usual sound clouds! In each episode we bring you beyond the headlines and to the personal stories of the changemakers who are driving change, to what they believe, will result in peace and security. Change Rebels take you across the world and to your local peace builders while broadcasting from that cold, dark and remote part of the world called Sweden. The Change Rebels podcast is hosted by Emelie Weski, a writer and speaker on all things youth, peace and security.