In Staffan Eklöf's (SD) and Ida Kors' (SD) opinion piece in JP on January 17, the Sweden Democrats write that the fears of introducing safety zones are exaggerated and that the risks are not proportionate to the potential gains. "The possibility of saving a child from being recruited into criminal networks outweighs the risk that a child may experience mistrust."

SD also believes that it is the politicians who have fed foreign-born people the idea that they are discriminated against. They cite an example from Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad , where young people feel that everyone dislikes people who live in the suburbs.

That is not the case, of course, but we cannot question the experience of young people. The fact that those subjected to suspicion and searches experience a lack of trust and confidence in the police and society is not a risk but already a reality. Several studies show that discrimination, stigmatization and racism are a fact of life in our society, factors that also deeply concern the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Link to public society

Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad meets children, young people and parents in several of Sweden's underprivileged areas. We listen and make their voices visible and want to be a link to public society, which many lack confidence in. We often meet children and young people who have lost faith in themselves and their opportunities.

Violence and crime must be stopped, while we need to build trust in our society. Tougher measures are not enough. Children are both victims and perpetrators, according to Police Commissioner Karin Götblad in her Winter Chat, and describes how children end up in a predicament from which there is no escape. She also points out that collaboration between authorities and an inclusive civil society is necessary. "Society needs to be better at understanding the vulnerability of young people.

Same rights

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is clear: all children have the same rights, no matter where you live. This is not the case today and Sweden was criticized last year by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for eliminating differences and discrimination based on place of residence.

Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad wants to contribute to the realization of every person's potential. This is done by supporting children, young people and parents to be agents of change, both in their lives and in their neighborhood.

It also helps to break the isolation that otherwise risks being passed on. It is not about dressing capable people in "victim's clothing", but encouraging and supporting them to believe in their abilities to influence their future.

This is what a 15-year-old participant in one of Erikshjälpen's Future Workshops says:
"Before, nobody cared about us or our future, not even ourselves. With the Future Workshop, we are not only changing the view of our neighborhood, we are also changing ourselves as people."

People should not be so easily offended, say Staffan Eklöf and Ida Kors. But feeling offended is a personal experience, and it's not something that anyone else can decide if you are. The feeling can only be changed through positive experiences.

Safety zones counterproductive

Special safety zones are a short-term intervention that risks being counterproductive and reinforcing already negative circles. Reinforcing the image that many people already have of these areas, but also how the children living there see themselves. There is no doubt that all forms of crime and violence must be tackled and criminals prosecuted, but this means that everyone should be equal before the law, regardless of their address. We must not forget that most people living in deprived areas are ordinary people, who want to live and have a good life with a job, a home and a family.

Author:

Daniel Grahn, Secretary General of Erikshjälpen.

Birgitta Johansson, Head of Erikshjälpen Sweden.

- The situation is unbearable, it is terrible that the hope for peace and reconciliation in the region may have been shattered for several generations to come," says Daniel Grahn, Secretary-General of Erikshjälpen.

In conflict, children are particularly vulnerable and war is the ultimate violation of children's rights. Yet it is increasingly common for schools, hospitals and residential buildings to be targeted by warring countries. A strategy that goes against all humanitarian law and human dignity.

- "There is nothing as diabolical as attacking children, using them as shields or weapons," says Daniel Grahn.

Recently, the death toll in Gaza exceeded 25,000, mostly civilians and a third of them children. Those who survive bombs and ground battles risk dying instead from disease, starvation and dehydration, unless humanitarian aid arrives in time.

Erikshjälpen does not have its own staff on the ground or carry out any direct work in the region, but we are following developments closely.

- The war that affects innocent children on both sides is completely indefensible. We condemn every single child abuse, regardless of which side of the border it takes place.

Erikshjälpen calls on all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and put children's rights first. In our role, we appeal to the Swedish government to do everything in its power to reach a lasting ceasefire.

Violence against children in Gaza and Israel must stop!

Photos with medical staff are from Individual Humanitarian Aid's (IM) partner organization Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS).

Author: Daniel Grahn

Concerns about the link between trade and aid

- "There are some positive elements in the government's new aid policy, but above all there is much that raises concern. One example is the clear link between trade and aid, which now leads to turning its back on some of the countries that need the most support," says Anders Malmstigen, International Director of Erikshjälpen.

"Aid for a new era - Freedom, empowerment and sustainable growth" is the name of the government's reform agenda that will determine the direction of Sweden's future global development work.

When the government's aid reform agenda was released in early December, Erikshjälpen eagerly awaited the letter of regulation to Sida to see what specific consequences the new reform agenda would have. The regulation letter with directives for Sida's activities came the following week and is largely in line with the changes contained in the reform agenda.

- "It is clear that the focus of aid policy has shifted from poverty reduction to primarily promoting trade and development," says Anders Malmstigen.

The concern about the link between trade and aid is that Sweden's aid policy is moving away from conflict-affected countries where poverty is increasing. This applies, for example, to Burkina Faso, Mali and South Sudan, countries where Erikshjälpen is active and where needs have increased.

The government's directive to Sida for 2024 now confirms that aid to these three countries in Africa, together with Cambodia in Asia, is being phased out within the framework of ongoing regional support. In the four countries that are being phased out, Erikshjälpen has interventions together with local partner organisations.

- The letter confirmed the concern that Sweden's aid no longer focuses primarily on people living in poverty and oppression. "Now our work and that of other civil society organizations becomes even more important. We can't just sit back and watch Swedish interests dictate who gets aid," says Anders Malmstigen.

Analysis of the reform agenda and appropriation directions

Concord Sweden is an umbrella platform that brings together 82 aid organizations in civil society. In its analysis of aid policy and the appropriation letter to Sida, Concord highlights a few points in particular:

• The general condition that the funds may only be used in accordance with the OECD/DAC guidelines for what can be classified as aid is not included in the appropriation directions.
• The appropriation line for communication and information activities in Sweden is removed completely.
• There will be the same low allocation for aid through Swedish popular movement organizations (CIVSAM allocation) as last year.

During the year, Erikshjälpen worked with the Concord Sweden network to develop recommendations for what the government's aid reforms should look like for sustainable global development. An important piece of the puzzle has been to ensure that the promise of increased Funding to civil society can be kept.

The reform agenda indicates that future cooperation with civil society organizations is a priority, but there are no clear strategies.

- Now it is just a matter of ensuring that this is put into practice. "Even though the aid provided through Swedish NGOs has increased proportionally, we are still seeing a decrease in actual money. This is because the total volume of aid has decreased," says Anders Malmstigen.

The reform agenda is positive

In the government's reform agenda for aid, Erikshjälpen welcomes the fact that children are highlighted as a priority group with their own specific rights and that the rights and freedoms of girls are given a prominent position. Sexual and reproductive health and rights, SRHR, and working against, for example, genital mutilation are also on the agenda, which bodes well for the future. But it is now important that children's rights are made visible in future strategies in order to have a proper impact.

Analysis of the aid reform agenda, concord.se.

Analysis of appropriation directions to Sida, concord.se.

Read Anders Malmstigen's opinion piece on the subject in Dagen, Sweden phases out aid to particularly vulnerable countries, Dagen.se.

Author: Lena Elf.