The practice of nonviolence runs through everything we do
The Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation (SweFOR), is a peace and nonviolence organisation, that works to promote our vision:
“Peace and justice, a society without violence, and a sustainable way of living”
We are a Swedish civil society organisation, based in the ecumenical movement, and with a global outlook on the work we do. We support and collaborate with peace initiatives in several parts of the world, and through our programme of international accompaniment, we have staff onsite working in three Latin American countries.
SweFOR was founded in 1919, and we are a member of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), which has consultative status in the UN.
In all of the work we do we look to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence in the world, through the pacific and nonviolent management of conflicts and with respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. We consider that fundamental for the construction of a sustainable peace.
SweFOR is a democratic members-based organisation. Some of our members are active in locally organised groups across Sweden. Our members elect a board of directors at an annual general meeting. The board in turn employs a secretary general, who leads the daily operational activities of the organisation. Our head office is in Stockholm, Sweden. Four our international accompaniment programme we have a regional office in Bogotá, Colombia, and local offices in Chiapas, Mexico, Guatemala City, Guatemala, and Villavicencio and Quibdó, Colombia.
We are pleased to collaborate with a number of partners and be part of several important Swedish, European, and global networks, such as: Agenda 2030-nätverket, Anna Lindh Foundation, Swedish Platform for Colombia, Concord Sweden, EU-LAT Advocacy Network / Advocacy Network, The International Office For Human Rights Action on Colombia (OIDHACO), Giva Sverige (the Swedish Fundraising Council), Globalportalen, Härnösands folkhögskola, International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), Kyrkornas globala vecka, Schyssta Pensioner, SEAPPI, Studieförbundet Bilda, Swedish Mission Council (SMC)
We receive the majority of our funding from: our members and other individuals, churches and faith-based organisations, The Swedish Corporation for Development (SIDA), The Swedish Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, SMC – Faith in Development, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
– Mahatma Gandhi
For us at SweFOR nonviolence is not just our way of thinking, it is also our way of acting and being. We know that nonviolent strategies are often more effective than those based in weapons, force and coercion. Nonviolence does not mean doing nothing. On the contrary, it means looking for dialogue, it means resistance, always with the aim to find solutions that all parts can accept.
Are you or your organisation interested in learning more about nonviolence and nonviolent methods? We have a network of certified instructors and offer courses in nonviolence, civil courage, conflict management, sensibility to conflict, and security (in Swedish).
Find out more about our courses on our Swedish website krf.se
We advocate for peaceful politics, that prevents violence and armed conflict, in Sweden and across the world. SweFOR strives to be the voice of peace and nonviolence in society, to mobilise support and public opinion that advocates for a peace and human rights-based approach in politics.
Along with our partners in Sweden and across the world, we advocate for disarmament and constructive conflict management that contribute to a culture of peace.
Find out more about our policy and advocacy activities on our Swedish website
By using the nonviolent methods of international accompaniment and preventive presence, SweFOR works to bring support and protection to human rights defenders in Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. Our aim is to, through our presence and observation, create safe and supported scope for action, for local human rights defenders to carry out their work and by extension continue to construct a sustainable peace.
Find out more about international accompaniment and our programme in Latinamerica
Head office address:
Ekumeniska Centret, Gustavlundsvägen 18, Alvik
Postal address to the head office:
SweFOR, Box 14038, 167 14 Bromma, Sweden
E-mail: info@krf.se
Regional office for our international accompaniment programme address:
Carrera 19 #39b-56, Barrio La Soledad, Bogotá DC, Colombia
We also have local offices in in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico; Guatemala City, Guatemala; and Villavicencio and Quibdó, Colombia.
We post any vacancies we might have, both in Sweden and in our international accompaniment programme in Latinamerica, on our vacancies page