Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
Encyclopedia
The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society (SPAS), or Svenska freds- och skiljedomsföreningen, is a non-governmental organization
in Sweden
, dedicated to peace
, disarmament
and democratization
. It operates by methods including publishing
, lobbying
, activism
and participating in political debates. SPAS has published an array of books and reports. The name of the organization's member's magazine is Pax. SPAS' central office is situated in Stockholm
, headed by current president Anna Ek. However, there are about 20 local branches throughout Sweden
.
's largest today. It was founded in 1883 by 50 Swedish parliamentarians and headed by Klas Pontus Arnoldson
. Arnoldsson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1908.
Among SPAS' notable achievements are assisting the peaceful resolution of the dissolution of the union of Sweden and Norway
in 1905; proposing alternative service for conscientious objectors, which became law in 1920; forming an 80.000 people human chain between the U.S. and Soviet embassies in Stockholm in 1983 and exposing illegal and dubious Swedish arms export deals.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, dedicated to peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, disarmament
Disarmament
Disarmament is the act of reducing, limiting, or abolishing weapons. Disarmament generally refers to a country's military or specific type of weaponry. Disarmament is often taken to mean total elimination of weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear arms...
and democratization
Democratization
Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime. It may be the transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic...
. It operates by methods including publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
, lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
, activism
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
and participating in political debates. SPAS has published an array of books and reports. The name of the organization's member's magazine is Pax. SPAS' central office is situated in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, headed by current president Anna Ek. However, there are about 20 local branches throughout Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
History
The Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society is the world's oldest peace organization, and ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
's largest today. It was founded in 1883 by 50 Swedish parliamentarians and headed by Klas Pontus Arnoldson
Klas Pontus Arnoldson
Klas Pontus Arnoldson was a Swedish author, journalist, politician, and committed pacifist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1908. He was a founding member and the first chairman of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society.-External links:* * at Find-A-Grave...
. Arnoldsson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
in 1908.
Among SPAS' notable achievements are assisting the peaceful resolution of the dissolution of the union of Sweden and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in 1905; proposing alternative service for conscientious objectors, which became law in 1920; forming an 80.000 people human chain between the U.S. and Soviet embassies in Stockholm in 1983 and exposing illegal and dubious Swedish arms export deals.