For the organization Svenska Freds, the past year has been tumultuous.
In a short time, they have had to deal with questions about everything from war in our immediate area, to what a Swedish NATO membership would mean.
But above all, they have noticed how the conversation about peaceful solutions has almost ceased.
- When attitudes, norms and political decisions become more military, a voice that speaks of peace does not become as relevant to listen to and in certain contexts it is ridiculed, says Kerstin Bergeå, president of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Association.
From criticism to more members
Swedish Freds has worked to promote peace and disarmament for almost 140 years.
During the invasion of Ukraine they were first met with distrust, but over time their membership has also increased.
Is it possible to talk about disarmament and peace in a time like this?
- It absolutely works.
It is more important than ever to keep the conversations about how we build long-term peace alive.
When we see increasingly militaristic thinking, it is incredibly important and something we protect in a democracy, that multiple perspectives are heard so we make the best decisions, says Kerstin Bergeå.
Hear more about Swedish Peace in the clip above.