Sweden is constantly evolving, absorbing new influences and ways of thinking. From science to denim, music to equality, Sweden is a hive of creativity — not least when it comes to the environment.
Photo: Nils-Johan Norenlind/TioFoto/Nordicphotos
Sweden is determined to hand over to the next generation a society in which the most crucial environmental problems have been solved. The most important environmental treaties are the Helsinki Convention and the Oslo and Paris Conventions, established to protect neighboring seas.
The Baltic Sea is a case in point with emissions from agriculture leading to marine eutrophication, for example. The Swedish government has set aside SEK 500 million (USD 60 million) for marine politics up to the year 2010.
Sweden is also part of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. There are many examples of sustainable urban living. In Malmö, the Western Harbor housing project’s 1,300 apartments showcase innovations in waste management, renewable energy and sustainable transport. The developers have incorporated measures to promote biodiversity too. Also in southern Sweden, Växjö sees a constant flow of visitors from other countries curious about its approach to sustainable development, bioenergy and forestry.
Environmental technology is a growing export industry, with Swedish companies producing systemic solutions in fields such as waste management and renewable energy.
Made in Sweden
Sweden is one of the world’s foremost research nations and a pioneer in biotechnology, medical innovations, microelectronics, IT and telecoms.
Esrange, the European Space and Sounding Rocket Range in Lapland, northern Sweden, carries out satellite control and space and atmospheric research. Space tourism is set to launch from Lapland in 2012. Since the end of the 1990s, the number of master’s degree programs taught in English at Swedish institutions of higher education has grown tenfold. The number of foreign students has also grown steadily. In 2007/2008 almost 28,000 people came to Sweden to study.
Land of innovation
Sweden has one of the highest standards of living worldwide. This is closely linked to trade, with Sweden striving for fair and open international trade and investment. Many multinational companies have their roots in Sweden, among them Volvo, AstraZeneca, ABB, Ikea, Ericsson, Electrolux, H&M and Absolut. Cutting-edge companies such as Skype and Spotify were also founded in Sweden.
The computer game industry is growing and games including Battlefield Bad Company, World in Conflict and The Darkness were created by Swedish companies.
The design and fashion industry is booming in Sweden. Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair and Sandra Backlund are names recognized worldwide, among others. Swedish fashion chains such as H&M have never been more popular, with the finance industry referring to them as “the Swedish Fashion Wonder.”
In 2008, Sweden’s fashion exports were worth about SEK 10 billion, excluding H&M.
Bastion of culture
Swedes are avid music consumers and Swedish music continues to strike a chord with listeners around the globe. Abba are bigger than ever thanks to the hit stage musical and film Mamma Mia, but there are many other artists worth keeping an eye on; Peter Bjorn and John, Robyn and Lykke Li are all critically acclaimed. Swedish songwriters and producers continue to work with the likes of Madonna and Britney Spears.
Another creative industry to watch is film. The award-winning cult vampire movie Let the Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in) is one of a new breed of Swedish films attracting attention worldwide. Directors including Lukas Moodysson, Maria Blom and Josef Fares are filling the void left by Ingmar Bergman.
There is a growing interest in recycled craft and design in Sweden.
Photo: Nicho Södling
Living in Sweden
Sweden is a multicultural society. Almost a fifth of the population have roots in other countries. Immigration has made Sweden more open, international and multicultural despite challenges such as segregation.
Safety net
All Swedish citizens are entitled to basic financial security. The basis for this is a tax-financed welfare system. This means that the state is responsible for all or most of the costs related to education, healthcare, child and elderly care, and pensions. There is also compensation for those who have lost their income due to illness, age, unemployment or a child becoming ill and needing care.
Gender equality
The latest Global Gender Gap Report from 2008 ranks Sweden as one of the best countries in the world for equality. The report, drawn up on the initiative of the World Economic Forum, measures equality in four areas: economics, politics, education and health. Swedish children are well looked after. Parents receive 480 state-financed days of parental leave per child, which must be taken before the child turns eight.
Swedish fathers take more than 20 percent of state-financed parental days. Photo: Kristina Kontaniemi/Folio
During 2008, men took more than 20 percent of the total parental leave. Children aged 1–6 are entitled to highly subsidized childcare, enabling both parents to work. Sweden is ranked top among 24 OECD countries in the 2008 study The Childcare Transition by the UN children’s organization Unicef.
Illustration: Jenny Findahl
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FOR SIX MONTHS, Sweden will be presiding over the largest integrated economy in the world, with almost half a billion inhabitants. This is a task we feel passionately about and we have a keen desire to constructively support the EU in its important mission.
We foresee many exciting challenges ahead of us. Chief among these is the climate issue, which a lot of Swedes feel strongly about and where Sweden is in many respects a role model for other countries. Not least, we’ve shown that by applying forward-looking climate policies we can have both economic growth and reduced carbon emissions. Our goal is for the EU to successfully bring about a global agreement when the United Nations holds its climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
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Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister. Photo: Gunnar Seijbold |
Another priority is the financial crisis and the global recession. Many people are relying on us to act — and to act forcefully. A continued focus on measures that restore confidence in the financial system is required. At the same time, the EU as a whole must hasten economic recovery, create jobs and promote welfare in member states.
During the course of our presidency we aim to adopt a special Baltic Sea strategy for improving the marine environment and strengthening the region’s competitiveness within the EU. We also plan to adopt the Stockholm Programme for cooperation in the justice sector. With the Lisbon Treaty in place, the enlarged EU will work efficiently and pave the way for additional countries to join.
This fall, Sweden will be organizing a series of meetings, seminars and conferences around the country covering a range of topics, from the environment and agriculture to defense and youth issues. My hope is that we will be able to pursue an open, effective presidency and that you will see Sweden in its best light.”
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