Meet the first Africans at the Olympics
Who were the first Africans to compete in the modern Olympic Games? The answer to that question reveals the surprising story of a 1904 marathon – and exposes the history of racism and white supremacy that characterised the Olympics in its early days, writes Francois Cleophas from Stellenbosch University. The first modern Olympic Games was …
40 years with HIV: What are the challenges today?
The 25th International AIDS Conference, will take place in Munich from 22 to 26 July 2024. What has been the response during the 40 years? In June 1981 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a rare form of pneumonia in young gay men in California. Although they didn’t know it at the time, these …
Stop the destruction of monuments in Nagorno-Karabakh
OPINION. As Azerbaijan has gained control over the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region and no Armenians are left in Nagorno-Karabakh, thousands of Armenian historical and cultural monuments are at risk of being destroyed. If this happens, it will be a loss for the whole humanity, writes Anzhela Mnatsakanyan, political researcher and Coordinator for A Demand for Action in Armenia. …
Development Sweden #34. The Swedish corruption scandal in DRC
The focus of Development Sweden #34 is the ongoing corruption scandal at the Swedish embassy in Congo (DRC) where more than 3 million Euro has “disappeared”. Is this scandal connected with the Sida employee who recently was released from custody? Also in Development Sweden #34: Will Sweden return to the one percent GPD to ODA goal …
South Africa: Can the government of unity fix the economy?
A more plural political space might bring in new voices that might generate better economic policies to address South Africa’s key challenges of economic concentration, unemployment and inequality. The government of national unity might offer an opportunity to achieve this, writes Imraan Valodia from University of the Witwatersrand. Over the last decade or so there …
Ukraine: When creativity beats the war
Despite the war, the city of Lutsk in Western Ukraine is being transformed into a hub for creativity, forming Ukraine’s largest street culture platform. The aim is to create intellectual and creative community, a birthplace for new ideas, writes Ivanna Shuba from the organisation Algorytm in Lutsk. Lutsk is a city of 200,000 in northwestern Ukraine. Though it is …
Book: The Long Shadow of German Colonialism
German and Swedish society alike tend to neglect or ignore the active participation in overseas slave trade. Little if any is on record in the official public memory and discourse. In his new book, The Long Shadow of German Colonialism, Henning Melber addresses the prevailing colonial amnesia. German and Swedish society alike tend to neglect …
Gabon: Will the coup lead to democracy?
In August 2023 a coup ended the Bongo dynasty’s 56-year hold on power in Gabon. General Nguema, the coup leader, established a transitional government and started a dialogue to chart a path to democratic rule. What will be the next step? At the end of April 2024, a long and peaceful process of national dialogue …
Development Sweden #32. Record Number Interested in Sida Contracts – we have the whole list
Almost 3,000 CSO has presented their expression of interest for a new agreement with Sida. We have the whole list. Also in Development Sweden #32, we take a closer look on Ukraine and the Swedish development cooperation with the country, as well as Ukraine’s relation to the Global South. The headlines: Development Sweden is published every …
South Africa: Will ANC lose its majority?
South African’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), is in trouble. After 30 years in charge, it is scrambling for support ahead of the national elections on May 29. Will ANC for the first time lose its parliamentary majority? The ANC has run the country since the end of apartheid in 1994, initially with …
