Minister Counsellor Ulrika Funered (centre) is photographed with the Diplomatic Hub committee (from left, Anna Buran, Giulia Gasparri, Emily Kemp, Leo Podov Halbert, Christopher Veal, Irene Ivanaj, Shareen Sandhu) and CSSIS Student Engagement Officer Anna Hamilton. 

Swedish diplomat speaks about Sweden’s Feminist Foreign Policy and post-Brexit relations

On Thursday 24 November, CSSIS student project Diplomatic Hub organised a visit from Minister Counsellor Ulrika Funered, Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of Sweden. Her Excellency covered topics including Sweden’s Feminist Foreign Policy, diplomatic mechanisms to promote feminism at a global level, and also what Brexit could mean for British and Swedish relations.

As Minister Counsellor Funered explained in an interview with Diplomatic Hub president and third year International Relations student Leo Podov Halbert:

‘The Swedish Feminist Foreign Policy is an analysis and working method for women to get the same opportunities as men. It is also about inspiring others to do the same, and to challenge [gender] norms.’

As well as the evening talk and Q&A session, Minister Counsellor Funered attended an afternoon tea with the DipHub committee, 6 Swedish students from the University and Head of Politics Professor Andrew Massey. Students had the opportunity to ask her Excellency about international affairs relating to Sweden, the UK and international diplomacy, as well as how to get into diplomatic careers following their degree.

Funded by the College of Social Sciences and International Studies, the event was the second diplomatic visit arranged by student project Diplomatic Hub, following the visit from Ambassador of Austria Martin Eichtinger last academic year. The committee have plans to organise a crisis simulation workshop next academic term, as well as more internal and external speakers exploring the role of diplomacy in the modern political realm. 

Date: 29 November 2016

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