Sweden’s model is often called total defence: military defence and civil preparedness working together. Volunteers play a key role in both.
#totaldefense #totalförsvar #frivilligförsvaret #försvarsmakten
The Swedish Civil Defense and Resilience Agency publishes “In Case of Crisis or War” — a free preparedness booklet available in many languages. Essential reading for anyone living in Sweden.
www.mcf.se/en/advice-fo...
Many voluntary defence organizations also offer courses in preparedness and crisis response. There are also youth programs for ages 15–20.
frivilligutbildning.se
For example: the Volunteer Resource Groups (FRG) assist municipalities with logistics, information, and practical support.
frivilligaresursgruppen.se
Those without prior military service can enter through a 14-day introductory training, followed by additional courses.
Sweden’s total defense also relies on several civilian volunteer organizations that support society during crises.
Most members have completed Swedish conscription or previously served in the armed forces.
There are also roles open to people without prior military experience — e.g. medics, dog handlers, or motorcycle couriers. In wartime they serve as armed soldiers within the Armed Forces.
The Home Guard (Hemvärnet) is part of the Swedish Armed Forces. It consists of volunteer part-time soldiers who can rapidly mobilize in crises and war.
In peacetime, units also support civil society — for example during forest fires or searches for missing persons.
Back from a week’s military exercise with the Swedish Home Guard. As always: good company, lots of learning, and a strong sense of purpose. (Photo not from the exercise area.)
A short thread on the Home Guard and other ways to volunteer in Sweden’s total defense.
#hemvärnet
På 4-årsdagen av Rysslands förnyade, fullskaliga krig mot Ukraina deltog jag idag i en panel organiserad av Folk och Försvar. Ukrainas ambassadör Svitlana Zalishchuk inledde med ett urstarkt anförande.
www.youtube.com/live/oSD9q3l...
Yesterday, I gave a lecture on possible future scenarios — all of them rather bleak — at the Home Guard’s officers' mess. The discussion continued over dinner. A stimulating evening in excellent company.
Just back from a short trip to Mallorca with some of the buddies I did my conscription service with — 36 years ago! Much has changed since then, but friendships remain.
Back from a fabulous mountain trek with my son!
Bild av Magnus Öberg & erik Melander i Almedalen som presenterar utvecklingen av organiserat våld i världen
Presenterade den dystra omvärldsutvecklingen, de ökande konfliktnivåerna med data från Uppsala konfliktdataprogram @ucdp.bsky.social , och diskuterade framtidsutsikter med @erikmelander.bsky.social i Almedalen. #Almedalen
Veterans Day in Sweden today. Grateful for peace—and reminded of the need to protect it. Today also marks 85 years since the founding of the Swedish Home Guard. 🇸🇪 #Veterandagen #Hemvärnet
Shared a few more photos from Bosnia 1996—album linked below.
Explore our new comprehensive data on 80+ arms control agreements 1921-2017! Featuring interactive tools, the AMC Encyclopedia of Arms Control Agreements, and more—all freely available, of course: amcdata.uu.se/sv
Possibly my last public appearance as Director of the Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament: honoured to speak on arms control at the Parliament with FOI experts Karl Sörenson and Martin Goliath. Grateful to draw on insights from our new AMCdata—80+ arms control agreements (link in comments)!
Beautiful walk home after the inaugural Peter Wallensteen Lecture delivered by Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell and organized by the Department of Peace and Conflict Research in honor of its founder, Peter Wallensteen. Hard to believe it’s been more than 30 years since Peter became my thesis advisor!
Är det verkligen fred vi vill ha till varje tänkbart pris? Denna text diskuterar olika typer av fred. Jag kontrasterar säkerhetsgemenskap med en modell för fred där världen delas upp i inflytandesfärer som tillhör olika stormakter.
cornucopia.se/2023/04/gast...
Denna text behandlar hur krigföring förhåller sig till förhandlingar. ”Såsom krigsteoretikern Carl von Clausewitz syrligt observerade är inkräktaren alltid en fredsvän … han skulle mycket gärna helt fredligt tränga in i vårt land.”
cornucopia.se/2023/04/gast...
Att pressa Ukraina till eftergifter nu skulle resultera i en dålig fred. Istället argumenterar jag i denna artikel på SVD Debatt för att ökat stöd till Ukraina är det bästa sättet att främja fred och säkerhet. Men ukrainarna själva måste förstås få bestämma.
www.svd.se/a/8JM7ar/eri...
I denna debattartikel på DN Debatt diskuterar jag möjligheterna, och inte minst begränsningarna, med fredlig konflikthantering:
www.dn.se/debatt/ickev...
”Allt det där är utmärkt och minskar riskerna men …man kan inte lita på ord på papper utan en dag så bara bryter man mot de där avtalen och då står man i en väldigt farlig situation igen.”
www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sa-b...
Samtal med Kristian Gerner i P1 Morgon i ljuset av lärdomarna från det andra världskrigets slut:
”Så bygger vi en hållbar fred”
Länk nedan, samt länkar till några av mina texter på DN Debatt och SVD Debatt (betalvägg), samt på @larswilderang.cornucopia.se blogg Cornucopia (ej betalvägg)
Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency publishes “If Crisis or War Comes,” a free booklet in many languages. It is essential reading for anyone living here (and for many others!).
🔗 www.msb.se/sv/publikati...
Many organizations offer courses in personal and community preparedness.
There are even youth programs for ages 15–20:
🔗 www.frivilligutbildning.se
For example, the Volunteer Resource Groups (Frivilliga Resursgruppen) help local authorities with logistics, information, and practical support:
🔗 frivilligaresursgruppen.se
Most members have completed conscription or served as full-time soldiers or officers. Those without military experience undergo a short (14-day) basic training and follow-up courses.
There are also civilian (unarmed) volunteer groups that support society in times of crisis or war.
