Why Sweden?
About Sweden
Sweden is one of the most egalitarian societies in the world, believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. Great importance is given to life outside the office, and to a healthy work-life balance. A strong economy, good education system, and excellent healthcare are also very important factors in why Sweden consistently performs well in the happiness index. Sweden ranks first in Global Citizen Solutions’s Quality of Life Index, and it topped the EU innovation scoreboard in 2022.
Swedes also have a profound respect for integrity. One of the most notable aspects of Swedish culture is their respect for the environment and commitment to sustainability. They are a global leader in organic agriculture, recycling, and renewable energy. Lagom - which means “not too much, not too little…just right” - is a word often used in Sweden.
Sweden’s Almedalen
Almedalen (all-med-ALL-in) literal English translation = “The Elm Valley”) is a park in the Swedish city of Visby on the island of Gotland, just over 100 miles and a boat ride from the capital, Stockholm.
It is well known in Sweden as the central site of Almedalsveckan (Almedalen Week), an annual event taking place in week 26 in and around Almedalen Park.
With speeches, seminars and other political activities, Almedalsvecken is considered to be the most important forum in Swedish politics.
During the week, representatives from all major political parties, academia and business gather to address Sweden’s most daunting problems, and work together to find solutions.
It has inspired similar events to be held in other countries, like Suomi-Areena in Finland, Arendalsuka in Norway, Arvamusfestival in Estonia and Folkemødet in Denmark.
Almedalen’s Origin Story
In 1968, Olof Palme was summering in Visby with his family. On the 25th of July Palme, then education minister and candidate for the position of party leader for the Social Democratic party, and another party leader candidate, Krister Wickman, held an improvised gathering. Palme made his speech from the back of a flatbed truck at Kruttornet by the Almedalen park. The audience that year was a couple of hundred people.
The first official Almedalsveckan took place in 1982, when all eight of the major party leaders were present for the first time. Since 1996, organizations and industry have been welcomed into the gathering.
Almedalsveckan is highly prioritized by the parliamentary parties, and they use the platform to promote new policy proposals. In 2023, approximately 30K visitors and 1200 organizers participated. The festival is open to all people interested in social issues.