Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation

The Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation is a non-governmental organisation established in 1962 in memory of the second UN Secretary-General, which aims to advance dialogue and policy for sustainable development and peace.

Who was Dag Hammarskjöld?

Dag Hammarskjöld was the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving with courage and integrity from 1953 until his tragic death in 1961.

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‘The best medicine is peace’

On Friday 28 November, Uppsala University and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation hosted Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) as he delivered the 2025 Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture.

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Latest updates

News

From Berlin to Belém: what it will take to unlock youth leadership in climate and peace

In this blog, Daisy, a former intern at the Foundation, reflects on her experiences at global climate conferences, exploring how youth navigate the intersection of climate change and peacebuilding, and why meaningful inclusion is essential for advancing sustainable peace and climate resilience.

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Event
Health, Multilateralism and Norm-Based Leadership in Times of Turbulence
Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture
‘The best medicine is peace’
News
The Principle of Pragmatic Idealism
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Our work

Sustaining Peace
UN Financing
UN Leadership

Videos

Watch the 2025 Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture, held by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on 28 November 2025.
Watch the 2025 United Nations Day commemoration in Uppsala, held on 24 October under the theme UN 80 Years in a World of Change, organised by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, the Swedish UN Association, Uppsala UN Association, UN agencies and funds, together with the host County Governor of Uppsala. The event was held in Swedish.
Watch the 2023 and 2024 Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture, held by Rena Lee and Jan Egeland, on the 16 September in Uppsala.
2022 Dag Hammarskjöld Lecture 'Strength in our common humanity' by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed at Uppsala University Hall on 23 February 2023.
A reference point on the laws, regulations, policies and guidelines of the international civil service.
Dag Hammarskjöld Commemorations 2021

Latest Publications

Publication
Financing the UN Development System: Managing Unprecedented Times
Publication
‘The perfect UN financing storm has arrived: It’s a tsunami!’
Publication
Evolution and reform of UN Peacebuilding – Ten areas of change
Publication
Strengthening the UN’s Peacebuilding Architecture – Transforming commitments into action
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“We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny, but what we put into it is ours.” 

Dag Hammarskjöld

I never discuss discussions.

Dag Hammarskjöld

‘Only he deserves power that everyday justifies it.’

Dag Hammarskjöld

‘Never for the sake of peace and quiet deny your convictions.’

Dag Hammarskjöld