NEWS How can Sweden strengthen its position as a hub for technology and innovation at a time characterised by geopolitical uncertainty, fierce global competition and rapid technological development? What do regions such as northern Sweden need to do to keep pace with global competition for jobs, investment and talent? On 26 May a forward-looking meeting as part of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences’ (IVA) vision project ‘Svenska framtider’.
"I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend the event in Umeå,” says Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger, CEO of IVA.
Image Erik Cronberg“Sweden needs an overarching vision for how we can become a leading nation in technology and innovation by 2035. This is what IVA will be working on over the next few years, and meetings like this are incredibly valuable in that work. I hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity to attend the event in Umeå,” says Professor Sylvia Schwaag Serger, CEO of IVA.
On 26 May, Umeå University, in collaboration with IVA, is hosting the conference ‘Swedish Futures – Perspectives from Northern Sweden’ in the Aula Nordica at Umeå University. During the afternoon, representatives from business, academia, the public sector, students and organisations will gather for an important discussion on how Sweden can build long-term competitiveness and how northern Sweden can continue to be an attractive region.
This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson
“As the world around us changes rapidly, it becomes increasingly important to bring together different societal actors to address common issues for the future. Umeå University plays a vital role as a driver of knowledge – this is something we work on every day. This is a golden opportunity to come together for truly strategic discussions for the whole of northern Sweden and, by extension, for the whole country,” says Tora Holmberg, Vice-Chancellor of Umeå University.
‘Svenska framtider’ aims to develop a comprehensive and widely supported vision for Sweden as a country of technology and innovation by 2035. The perspective is clearly international, but with strong links to Swedish – and northern Swedish – conditions.
“In a world where the US and China are investing heavily in innovation, individual initiatives are not enough; we need a shared understanding of where we are heading, what our strengths are and how we get there. That is what Svenska framtider aims to contribute to,” says Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Professor and CEO of IVA.
Northern Sweden’s rapid transition, with major industrial investments and a growing need for skilled labour, makes the region particularly relevant to the debate on Sweden’s future.
I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,” says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of Västerbotten. Photo: Patrik Trädgårdh
"In Northern Sweden, many of the issues affecting the whole country are concentrated in one place – the supply of skilled labour, sustainable growth and collaboration between different societal actors. This makes Umeå an important and natural venue for vital discussions such as these, so I am convinced that this afternoon will be a key meeting point,” says Helene Hellmark Knutsson, County Governor of Västerbotten.
The programme includes both presentations and panel discussions. There is a particular focus on how the skills supply in northern Sweden can be secured, and how collaboration between education, research, industry and the public sector can be strengthened in practice. Researchers and representatives from industry, local authorities and regions will take part in the discussions.
The conference will be held in Swedish and conclude with two panel discussions under the headings ‘Hur säkrar vi kompetensförsörjning i norra Sverige?' och 'Hur formar vi vår svenska framtid?’. Please read more about the event and the panellists.
Svenska framtider – med utblickar från norra Sverige
The event is open to anyone interested and free to attend; please register here.