Our History
The Beginning
In 1925, the Uppsala Student Association for the League of Nations was founded by students at Uppsala University. Shortly thereafter, similar associations were established in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Lund. These associations were subsequently united to form the Swedish Academic Organization for the League of Nations, which became part of the International Student Federation for the League of Nations (FUI), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. However, in 1935, the Scandinavian member associations chose to separate from the FUI, and their names were changed to “Associations of International Affairs.” In 1939, the Swedish central organization adopted a new name: the Swedish Academic Organization for International Affairs (SAFU). During World War II, many local associations disbanded, ultimately resulting in the dissolution of SAFU.
Post-War Development
During the politically turbulent 1960s, a series of lectures were arranged by UF Uppsala, featuring notable speakers such as Abba Eban, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Leopold Senghor, the President of Senegal. These events provoked significant debate and, reflecting the spirit of the times, led to protests and demonstrations. In 1968, membership reached 1,660, which remains the highest recorded number. In the 1970s, as the political climate became calmer, the association focused primarily on organizing study circles covering topics like economics, feminism, and women’s rights. Prominent guests, including Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, German journalist Günther Wallraff, and Nobel laureates Gunnar and Alva Myrdal, were invited to speak.
By the 1980s, membership numbers had rapidly declined, pushing the association into a period of crisis. Fortunately, a recovery began in the mid-1980s. Ambitious projects during this period included lecture series, panel debates, and special issues of Uttryck Magazine centered on the theme “Peace in Europe.” In 1985, UF Uppsala decided to withdraw from the International Association’s Central UN Organization (UFFN) due to concerns over its leadership and financial management. Environmental issues were also introduced as a focal point, reflecting contemporary political trends and signaling a shift beyond traditional international affairs topics.
Growing Interest in International Affairs
In the 1990s, interest in international affairs surged among Uppsala University students. Financial stability was achieved with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Uppsala University, and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Activities expanded to include a field trip to the Swedish National Television Broadcaster (SVT) and further development of Uttryck Magazine. UN Secretary-Generals Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan were invited to speak, inspiring the organization of UN simulations. The largest simulation was led by Bengt Westerberg, former leader of the Swedish Liberal Party. On April 25, 1998, UF Uppsala’s 50th anniversary was celebrated.
Annual study trips to various international destinations were organized, including visits to the UN headquarters in Geneva and New York, Israel-Palestine, Belarus, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Uganda, Morocco, and Cuba. In recent years, trips to universities in Ljubljana, Zagreb, and Bologna were also undertaken. Uttryck Magazine continued to be an integral part of the association, published three times a year, and complemented by the launch of an online edition in 2016. In 2006, Radio UF, the association’s radio program, was established, broadcasting weekly on the student radio frequency.
At the turn of the millennium, membership stabilized at around 300. Interest has grown significantly since then, with current membership reaching approximately 1,000. Lectures, held twice a week, cover diverse global topics and have featured prominent speakers such as Hans Rosling, renowned professor in global health; former Swedish Prime Ministers Fredrik Reinfeldt and Göran Persson; and notable politicians Mona Sahlin, Gudrun Schyman, Anna Kinberg Batra, and Birgitta Ohlson. In May 2016, an invitation was extended to attend a lecture by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, followed by a visit from Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström in February 2017.
On April 20, 1997, UF Uppsala co-founded the Swedish Organizations for International Affairs (SUF) alongside similar associations from Gothenburg, Lund, Umeå, and Växjö. However, due to operational challenges, the SUF was replaced on May 5, 2007, by the Swedish Association of International Affairs (SAIA), which was created to strengthen member associations and promote collaboration. Since 2008, SAIA has organized the recurring Convention of International Affairs, fostering a national platform for dialogue and cooperation.
