Föreläsning: Guajiras vattenbrist – en historisk möjlighet
Wednesday 29 maj 17:15 – 18:00 Ekonomikum hörsal 2 Efter regeringskiftet i Colombia återvände Carlos Rios för att bidra till att lösa vattenbristen i Guajira, en region som historiskt sett plågats av vattenbrist. Inledningsvis föreslogs ett kustnära distributionssystem med tankbilar, men detta visade sig vara ineffektivt. Det positiva var att det ledde till en avgörande insikt: att utnyttja de befintliga lokala brunnarna för att potentiellt kunna lösa problemet.Den främsta utmaningen med brunnarna är deras höga salthalt, vilket gör vattnet obrukbart för människor. Denna svårighet har emellertid öppnat dörren för en innovativ lösning – “mikroakvedukter.” Dessa system är utformade för att rena det salta brunnsvattnet och göra det drickbart för samhället.En anmärkningsvärd aspekt av detta initiativ är dess fokus på lokal egenmakt. Administrationen och underhållet av mikroakvedukterna kommer att skötas av lokala kvinnor, vilket säkerställer samhällsengagemang och hållbarhet. Carlos Rios ansvarar för vattenprojektet i Guajiras och kommer att guida oss genom denna spännande möjlighet för samhället.
Impacts of the situation in Gaza on Migration in Africa
Ambassador Dr. Namira Negm is the Director of the African Migration Observatory, whose mission consists of promoting continental and international cooperation in the field of migration. Dr. Negm serves as a member of the Legal Team of Palestine in the Advisory Opinion before the ICJ on the Israeli Occupation. Further, she is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Institute for Justice and Rule of Law, and of the Editorial Board of the International Organization Law Review. Dr. Negm can contribute with vitally important insights through her extensive experience in complex international systems related to migrational issues. The lecture will be followed by questions from the audience. A warm welcome! DATE: May 22nd TIME: 17:15-18:30 PLACE: Hörsal 2, Ekonomikum Pre-registration is obligatory. Register here Doors close at 17:15 – first come, first served! As Director of the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union, she has represented the AU before the ICC in the Advisory Opinion in Jordan’s Appeal for its refusal to hand over former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to the ICC during his visit to Jordan in implementation of immunity of Heads of State from International Persecution. Moreover, she has represented the African Union before the ICJ in the Advisory Opinion on the separation of the Chagos archipelago from Mauritius before its independence from British colonialism. Dr. Negm has negotiated and consulted on behalf of the AU in sessions of other international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commission for Refugees, the UN International Law Commission, the ICC, the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and the ICSID of the World Bank. Further, Dr. Negm has previously served as Director of the Anti-Corruption Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and as Ambassador of Egypt to Rwanda.
Illusions in the Ethics of War — How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
Come down to Ekonomikum and listen to Isaac Taylor speak on the subject of war ethics. In light of recent world events it is important for all of us to know what is permissible during warfare and to also question why. This lecture is a collaboration between Uppsala Association of Foreign Affairs and Philosophical Union in Uppsala. -About the lecture- For nearly as long as humans have waged war, they have discussed the ethics of war. Yet our existing international legal system governing armed conflict is built on a number of illusions about what is morally permissible in warfare. This talk will consider what members of the armed forces should do in light of this claim. Should they continue to act on the basis of these illusions, or should they resort to first-level moral principles to guide their action? Rejecting existing accounts of the ethics of participation in warfare, it argues for an account of “combatant morality”, as it can be called, that encourages caution in waging war, in light of various potential undesirable effects that can arise from developing an institution that justifies the resort to violence in ethical terms. While the theory arrived at might be viewed as a variant of pacifism, it is shown to avoid some of the standard objections that have been raised against pacifists in the past. DATE: May 15 TIME: 17:15-18:30 PLACE: Hörsal 2, Ekonomikum A warm welcome! Isaac Taylor is an associate senior lecturer in practical philosophy at Stockholm University. Before moving to Stockholm, Taylor was a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute in London, where he worked with UK public sector organistaions in investigating the ethical issues surrounding emerging military technologies. Taylors research focus is on modern day war ethics, a subject which is relevant to both social science and philosophy. His current projects focuses on the use of AI might undermine responsibility and democratic governance, and how just war theory was institutionalized during the twentieth century.
“No Room” for LGBTQ+ Community in Indonesia.
April 24 17:15 – 18:00 Hörsal 2 Ekonomikum Indonesia, the worlds largest Muslim-majority country, demonstrated a high level of openness towards the LBTQ+ community prior to 2016. Notable instances of this tolerance included the acceptance of the “waria” community (individuals assigned male at birth who adopted feminine gender expressions, recognized as a third gender in Indonesia), LGBTQ+ oriented events like the Q! Film Festival, and vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife options in major cities. Additionally, advocacy groups operated with relative freedom, promoting education and community support. Since the mid-2010s, the situation for Indonesias LGBTQ+ community has deteriorated significantly. Escalating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from governments and religious figures, along with proposed legal changes, have heightened risks. This has led to fewer LGBTQ+ events, increased scrutiny of advocacy groups, and forced many in the community to seek safer environments either domestically or abroad. This lecture will delve into these shifts, emphasizing the growing dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Indonesia. Become a member of UF Uppsala to attend the lecture: https://ufuppsala.se/become-a-member/
Digitalization – effect and threats upon society’s security
The cyberattacks that hit Coop, Kalix Kommun and TietoEvry brought cyber-security into the public consciousness, but what significance do they really have for societal development? Microsoft was instrumental in mapping out the actors, their origin – and by whom they were sponsored. This lecture will delve into the effect of digitization, what threats it has brought upon society and how it is connected to geopolitical events. Cybersecurity is not just a topic for techies, it affects everyone. April 3 17:30-18:45 Hörsal 2 – Ekonomikum Sandra Barouta Elvin is the National Security Director for Microsoft with responsibility for security issues and security policy issues. She has over 20 years of experience working with IT and information security, strategically and operationally in both the public and private sector.
Two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Future consequences of arms proliferation
Published March 11, 2024 REGISTER March 21 17:30 – 18:45 Brusewitz Hall – Gamla Torget Doors close at 17.30 – first come, first served! Join us in welcoming Ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk, Director of The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration Eva Hagwall and Dr Ian Anthony to discuss future consequences of arms proliferation within the region and how to build civil society resistance to strengthen European security (more information below). Ukraine has requested and received a wide array of arms and ammunition from Sweden, and further EU-countries, to strengthen and support their resistance and defense. What is further needed? How could arms proliferation affect the region and civil society resistance, as third party sales could increase in the aftermath of the war? What aspects are to be considered when reasoning about the future of the conflict and how should the Ukrainian government, civil society and Swedish defence ministry act upon them? These are some of the topics the discussion will delve into, which will be followed by questions from the audience. Membership in UF Uppsala or AROS is required. Become a member for FREE here. AROS (Akademiska Reservofficerssällskapet i Uppsala) is a student association that gathers all Uppsala University students who have served in the Swedish Armed Forces in one way or another. The core of AROS’ activities is to organize social gatherings that blend military and student traditions. Join us in welcoming Ambassador Andrii Plakhotniuk Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Sweden Andrii Plakhotniuk has previously served as Director General of the Directorate for Countering Russian Threats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and holds extensive diplomatic experience. Dr. Ian Anthony was the previous Director of SIPRI’s European Security Programme, and has expertise on arms control, disarmament, nuclear security, export control and threat. He has numerous publishings that explore and investigate the topics above within the region, and further issues such as environmental accountability, justice and reconstruction. Director of FMV Eva Hagwall The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration’s work includes export support and they are the coordination office for the European Defense Fund. Director Eva Hagwall has previously worked within the Ministry of Finance and with issues related to civil society crisis preparedness.
Lecture: The Long Shadow of German Colonialism – Namibian Perspective
Published February 24, 2024 March 618:15 – 19:30Ekonomikum, Sal 2 In the early 20th century, imperial Germany stood as one of the foremost colonial powers, boasting territories across West, East, and Southern Africa, China, and the South Seas. Following World War I, these territories were transferred as mandates to other colonial states. This lecture provides an overview of the profound consequences of German colonialism, examining the persistent trends of colonial apologetics, reminiscences, and colonialamnesia that have endured since that era. It also evaluates the increasing recognition of these historical injustices, prompting efforts to confront and address the long-suppressed colonial past. Finally, the lecture critically analyzes the ongoing German-Namibian negotiations aimed at acknowledging the genocide perpetrated in South West Africa. Henning Melber German-Namibian professor, writer and political activist Director Emeritus at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and Extraordinary Professor at multiple institutions.Extensive research on the decolonization of Africa, with focus on understanding Namibia’s past with colonialism.
Lecture with Ambassador Klement Gu – Taiwan’s Foreign Relations after Presidential Election
When: Feb 21st, 17:30-19:00 Where: Ostromsalen, Gamla Torget Membership is required The election held in Taiwan in the beginning of this year has been spoken of as a crucial moment regarding how the future of the world might turn out. Taiwan’s wish to become a democratic independent state is a solid fact after the election turnout favored the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with a third consecutive win. Taiwan’s newly elected president Lai Ching-te has been called “a dangerous separatist” by China, causing a lot of questions about how the increased tensions will affect peace within the region and with the rest of the world. Ambassador Klement Gu has extensive experience when it comes to working in a global context and managing diplomatic relations between Taiwan and other countries, while also considering that China still claims it as part of Chinese territory which causes limitations to the diplomatic relations. Among other things, Ambassador Gu has been the general director of the department that prepares and plans Taiwan’s foreign politics since 2018. Join us on the 21st of February to learn more about this complex political situation! Membership is required
Lecture with Ulf Kristersson – Gallery
Published January 16, 2024 We would like to extended a word of thanks to prime minister Ulf Kristersson for taking the time to visit us for a moderated discussion and Q&A session with our members on Sweden’s role in the EU and in the international arena.The Prime Minister’s presence underscored the importance of collaboration between government officials, academic institutions and youth organizations in addressing the complex global issues of our time. Thank you also to our members for coming and asking well-informed questions which gave rise to fruitful, interesting discussions!
Lecture with Stefan Löfven – Gallery
Published June 9, 2023 Mr. Löfven’s lecture focused on his work as recently appointed co-Chair of the UN’s High-level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism. In his lecture, he outlined six necessary shifts required in the global agenda to promote effective multilateralism. The Q&A session gave rise to several interesting discussions, with topics ranging from international development financing, to relations between the ”global north” and ”global south”, as well as promoting peace in Ukraine.Stefan Löfven currently also serves as Chair of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as well as President of the Party of European Socialists, the second largest political party represented in the European Parliament. A massive thank you to Stefan Löfven and his team for taking the time to visit us, and a huge thanks to all of our members who have attended our lectures this past operational year! Hope to see you again in September! If you wish to have a picture removed, email the Head of Marketing, Alejandro Velazquez to pr@ufuppsala.se.