The foundation of our work is international solidarity. The challenges we face — democratic regression, the climate crisis, growing inequality, pandemics, and forced displacement — cannot be solved in isolation. They require shared responsibility and cooperation that places people, especially marginalized groups, at the center.
Through cooperation across national borders, we strive to counter oppression and injustice — social, political, and economic. Despite the threats facing democracy and human rights, civil society around the world remains vibrant. Within that strength lies hope and the possibility to, in international solidarity, come together and demand democratic development where everyone has the right to participate, influence, and organize on equal terms.
For us, people and human rights are at the center. Together with the organizations we cooperate with, we support marginalized women and youth in bringing their perspectives to a sustainable and just development, as well as the opportunity to lead the processes of change that affect their lives.
A central part of our work also involves increasing knowledge about democratic processes and human rights. We want all people to feel part of a strong and vibrant civil society with the ability to scrutinize decision-makers and other powerholders and to demand accountability. Through collaboration with organizations around the world, our support enables marginalized women and youth the opportunity to challenge unequal power structures and discrimination. This strengthens agency and creates conditions for real influence, where everyone has the opportunity to shape their lives and their future.
Agenda 2030 and the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development were adopted in 2015 by the UN’s 193 member states to promote socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable development. All Swedish policy needs to contribute to the Global Goals, including Sweden’s development cooperation.
In line with Agenda 2030, Left International Forum believes that the societal challenges we face are so closely interconnected that none of them can be addressed without addressing the others at the same time. Therefore, our work for inclusion and justice is reflected in several of the Global Goals, with particular focus on:
1 No poverty, 5 Gender equality, 8 Decent work and economic growth, 10 Reduced inequalities, 13 Climate action, 15 Life on land, 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 Partnership for the goals
Left International Forum strives for trusting, reciprocal partnerships where goals, values, roles, and responsibilities can be openly discussed. Both we and the organizations we work with operate within the framework of Swedish development assistance, while also acknowledging the unequal structures that shape international development cooperation. We therefore aim to make these structures visible and create space for systemic critique and ideological dialogue within our partnerships.
We value local ownership and have chosen not to directly implement activities within the operations of our partner organizations. We believe that those who know best how activities should be designed to contribute to sustainable development and a just world are the ones who should lead the work. Within the Swedish left movement, there is extensive knowledge and experience of social change and advocacy. Drawing on that experience, we support our partner organizations in their efforts to amplify the voices of those whose rights have been oppressed.
The climate crisis is accelerating rapidly and primarily impacts those who have contributed the least to it. Addressing the climate crisis requires climate justice and a just transition in which those most affected are not only included but given influence and the power to drive change.
Climate justice is about highlighting the links between environmental degradation, economic inequality, and the structures that uphold injustice. It requires lifting the burden of the climate crisis from poor and marginalized groups and ensuring that all people have equal access to political decision-making processes. Climate justice and the risks faced by environmental defenders are closely connected to shrinking democratic space and the dangers faced by those who demand justice, the right to organize, and the ability to shape public opinion. By increasing the representation of marginalized women and youth— whose participation and influence are essential for climate efforts — our work strengthens both democracy and climate justice.
Gender equality is a matter of human rights and power. By strengthening women’s opportunities and capacity to organize, the conditions for increased participation and representation in democratic processes are improved. The goal of our gender equality work is to challenge and transform the patriarchal attitudes, norms, traditions, and laws that maintain unequal and unjust power relations and restrict women’s freedoms and rights.
Just as peace is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development, conflict is also a natural part of human interaction. A conflict managed fairly and peacefully can contribute to positive change and societal development, whereas one marked by threats, violence, or abuse of power becomes destructive and undermines social development. In the work of Left International Forum, there is always a focus on countering the factors and structures that undermine democracy and create division, as well as on promoting trust, equality, and shared responsibility. To ensure that marginalized groups are also considered, Left International Forum works with inclusive methods and with the understanding that conflict affects different groups in different ways.