Sweden

National Website: utrotafattigdomen.nu

National Coalition

For more information or to find out how you can get involved please contact:

Tove Zetterström tove.zetterstrom@diakonia.se

BACKGROUND

Since its start the Swedish campaign has grown considerably and now includes 70 organisations. Among them are development and environment NGOs, youth organisations, ecumenical organisations, the blue collar workers federation and other important actors.

The Swedish campaign is organised like a network, where each organisation has had the possibility to make their own white band activities alone or in smaller coalisions, which has been a dynamic form of campaigning.

During 2006 the organisations behind the campaign will highlight issues of trade, debt and aid in the general election campaign. The common political debate in Sweden often lacks an international perspective, which is why we're making a unified effort to make the parties clarify their positions on these issues of global concern.

Seminars and lobby meetings, survey on trade/debt/aid issues among MP candidates, ad-campaigns with a white band theme, online actions encouraging voters to hold their parties accountable and 'unfair football games' in connection to the FIFA World Cup are some of all the things that are planned during summer and fall 2006 leading up to a 'Grand Finale' on this years White Band Day on the 17th of October.

GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION ON TRADE JUSTICE

The Swedish campaign "UTROTA FATTIGDOMEN NU" was launched on 11 April 2005, in connection to the Global Week of Action on Trade. 

Events in 2005

WHITE BAND DAY I - Make Poverty History 

For the 1st White Band Day the centre of Stockholm and Gothenburg were covered in white bands. A press conference was also held in Stockholm to explain what was at stake at the G8 Summit and what the Global Call to Action Against Poverty demanded from the most powerful leaders of the world. After the press conference a GCAP delegation went to the British Embassy to hand over the Swedish campaign platform to Kevin McGurgan, Head of the Political Section of the Embassy.

The Live 8 concerts recieved extensive coverage in Swedish media, and the shows were also broadcasted live by Swedish Public Service.

UTROTA FATTIGDOMEN NU also contributed to the white band week in Strasbourg by sending white bands and information about the campaign to all Swedish EU Parliamentarians.

WHITE BAND DAY II - Wake Up to Poverty

On the 2nd White Band Day, September 10th, UTROTA FATTIGDOMEN NU arranged a number of seminars in Stockholm and Gothnburg. A concert with Swedish muscians was also held at the Cultural House in central Stockholm to raise awareness about the campaign and the up-comming UN Summit.

On September 14th, the same day as the UN Summit began, UTROTA FATTIGDOMEN NU arranged an event outside the Swedish parliament. The party leaders for six of parliament parties symbolically signed a white band to show their commitment to the fight against poverty. At the event leaders of various member organisations in the Swedish GCAP campaign challenged the party leaders on various issues related to debt, trade and aid. Swedish civil society will continue to highlight these issues, and hopefully they will be high on the agenda for next year's pariliamentary election.

Take a look in our Photo gallery to see photos of some of our activities.

WHITE BAND DAY III - Spotlight on Trade Justice

On December 9 and 10th UTROTA FATTIGDOMEN NU arranged activities to highlight the importance of trade justice in relation to poverty eradication.

A number of seminars were held in Stockholm to raise awareness about trade issues and the up-comming WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong. A St. Lucia manifestation (a white band twist of the Swedish tradional St.Lucia festivities on the 13th of Dec) was also arranged on the 10th of Dec to highlight the white band campaign and as a contribution to the global actions of the third white band day.