More than eight years after the Rio Conference on Sustainable Development, the first legally binding agreement emerging from it will enter into force in April: the Escazú Agreement. It is praised as a unique treaty breathing new life into the fight for environmental democracy and justice in Latin America and
Myanmar’s Strife
Myanmar—or Burma, as it was known—is a country with a troubled history. The latest example of this came to light in February 2021, when a coup d’état took place, enabling a group of military leaders (otherwise known as a ‘junta’) to grip the reins of power once again. The situation
The Crown and the Army: Thailand’s Struggle for Democracy
Forty-three years. That is the sentence levied upon a Thai woman in her sixties who was found to have posted audio clips on Facebook and YouTube that allegedly insult the monarchy. Such a shocking forty-five year long sentence was issued because the court found the defendant guilty of twenty-nine different
The People Have Spoken – The Effects of Direct Democracy in Switzerland
On the 7th of March 2021, a controversial referendum was held in Switzerland. The outcome was that Swiss citizens voted for a ban of full facial coverings in public, passing by 51.2% to 48.8%. This measure was popularised by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) who campaigned with slogans such
Germany’s Super Election Year – What comes after Merkel?
The pandemic might have eclipsed some important upcoming political events, but with only six months left until the parliamentary elections to the German Bundestag, tension is mounting in Germany and amongst curious onlookers. The parliamentary elections on September 26th, 2021 will not only lead to a new parliament, but Germany
To The Frontline and Beyond. Portraits of Swedish War Correspondents
PART 3: Niclas Hammarström & Magnus Falkehed In a new interview series, The Perspective sat down with four Swedish foreign correspondents to discuss the contrasting realities of peace and conflict, and their own thoughts on the clashes they cover. Parts 1 (Johan-Mathias Sommarström) and 2 (Terese Cristiansson) were published in
Meet the British Anti-Vaxxers
All names and locations in this article have been changed. The UK is among the countries hardest hit by Covid-19. Now, a herculean vaccination programme is bringing the end of the UK epidemic into view. But some still steadfastly refuse to take the jab. UPF Lund introduces the anti-vaxxers and
By UPF Webzine
Activism/Articles/Asia/Economics/Economy And Trade/Gender Equality/International Relations/UPF/Women
Fashion: Personal liberation in the west, a form of mass incarceration for the rest
One year ago during March 2020, fashion retail giants including the likes of H&M, Primark and Zara decided to retroactively cancel orders of clothing without paying for them. This had disastrous consequences for ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh as many live subsistence-based due to meagre wages. This article looks
Is there a new Pink Tide on Latin America’s horizon?
In the early 2000s, a wave of left-wing politics swept through Latin America, the so-called Pink Tide. In the mid-2010s, it was countered by a conservative, right-wing political wave. However, in the last few years, we have witnessed reactions to the conservative movement, as left-leaning political leaders in the region
Women in Leadership – Barriers to female political representation
When you hear the word “political leader”, what comes to mind? A man in a suit? Despite significant gains in female representation in powerful roles, such as New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, women remain dramatically underrepresented in political leadership positions. Of the world’s heads of state and government 93%