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Interest in Brussels for the Feminist Foreign Policy

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That Sweden since the election in 2014 has a feminist government promoting a Feminist Foreign Policy continues to attract attention. Anders Ahnlid, the Swedish Ambassador to the EU, recently spoke on this topic upon a special request from the Young Professionals Network in Brussels.

  • Anders Ahnlid

    Anders Ahnlid, Head of Sweden's EU-representation, discussed the government's Feminist Foreign Policy with the Young Professionals' Network in Brussels.

    Photo: Sveriges EU-representation

  • Anders 2

    The Feminist Foreign Policy is integrated in all aspects of the Swedish foreign policy.

    Photo: Young Professionals Network

  • Anders 3

    Anders Ahnlid reflected about the Changes in European issues over the years he have been head of the Swedish EU representation.

    Photo: Sveriges EU-representation

-We explain the Feminist Foreign Policy using three "r" as our point of departure. They refer to representation, rights and resources, Anders Ahnlid explained.

He elaborated on the analysis and method of the policy that constitutes the founding for the practical work and pointed out that there is no premade package but that that the focus is adaptable depending on a changing need. Building both national and international alliances is a fundamental task.

Backed by the Feminist Foreign Policy Sweden for example supports a network of female peace negotiators. The background is that women are underrepresented in peace processes despite the fact that female representation in negotiations makes agreements more sustainable.

This was also one of the Foreign Minister Margot Wallström's main messages when she led a crowded seminar about the Feminist Foreign Policy in Bryssels in March, 2016.

- The seminar made a great impression on me, says Thomas Richter, who was in the seminar audience. Working as an Adviser to the IDA-group, a consultant agency in Brussels, he also volunteers for the Young Professionals Network.

Thomas Richter continues:

- I had quite good knowledge from before on these issues but after Ms Wallström's seminar I did more research. For example, the Swedish Feminist Foreign Policy, promoting women's participation in peace processes have clear and relevant points, and I thought it would be interesting for our members, who did not attend the seminar, to hear Anders Ahnlid tell us more before he leaves Brussels for his coming Ambassador's posting in Finland, says Thomas Richter.

Anders Ahnlid also reflected on the great shift in European issues that have taken place, from economic crisis to migration, security and Brexit, during his three years in Brussels as Head of the Swedish Representation to the EU.

The Young Professional's Network is active in Brussels, London and Washington D.C.

Margot Wallström's lecture on feminist foreign policy 14 March in Brussels

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