Press release: International peace mediation – Sweden’s experiences and future role
On the 17th of September, the anniversary of the murder of Count Folke Bernadotte, the FBA and the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities host a seminar on Sweden’s role in international peace mediation. During the day H.R.H. the Crown Princess Victoria will open an exhibition on Count Bernadotte’s work in the Middle East.Folke Bernadotte became the UN’s first official mediator when he accepted the mission to take on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 1948. He is considered one of the first initiative takers to international peace operations and his work founded two UN bodies, still active and working for peace in the region.
Mediating in armed conflicts has become a more and more complex task. By working actively within the EU and UN, Sweden has influenced the international agenda for conflict prevention.
Taking off from Count Bernadotte’s lifework a seminar is arranged to discuss Sweden’s long tradition of working for global peace and security, today’s feminist foreign policy and Sweden’s future role in international conflict management.
The panel discussion will feature, among others, H.E. Ms. Ann Dismorr, ambassador and incoming Head of the Foreign Ministry’s desk for the MENA region, H.E. Mr. Kai Eide, Norway’s ambassador to Sweden, Ms. Bitte Hammargren, author and journalist focusing on Turkey and the Middle East, and H.E. Mr. Sven-Olof Petersson, ambassador and chairman of Sipri’s governing board.
Concluding the day, H.R.H. the Crown Princess Victoria inaugurates the exhibition, showing Count Folke Bernadotte’s mission in the Middle East. The exhibition will give the audience an image of the significant contributions to peace and security that Count Bernadotte reached during his short time in the Middle East.
The event takes place at the Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, Fredsgatan 2 in Stockholm, starting at 3 p.m. The opening of the exhibition starts at 5 p.m.