Matilda Ernkrans

Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is attending a conference on the future European Research Area (ERA) today, Tuesday 20 October. The agenda includes the ERA, freedom of research and the adoption of the Bonn Declaration. Ms Ernkrans will attend digitally.

Today, Tuesday 13 October, Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is participating in a digital event organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Ms Ernkrans will participate in a panel discussion about what universities and other higher education institutions can do to address climate change and promote sustainable development.

In an increasingly uncertain world, the risk of nuclear weapons being used is greater than it has been for a long time, and education, research and information for the public are needed in this area. The Swedish Research Council has now been tasked with collecting expressions of interest and proposing a university or other higher education institution to receive funding for the establishment of a national knowledge centre for nuclear disarmament.

The University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is being strengthened to meet educational needs and fight unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis. SLU will receive additional funding that will enable it to offer more places on educational programmes in shortage occupations and for lifelong learning.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2023.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is increasing the number of student places. One hundred new places are already being created for summer courses this year and the number of places in the foundation year is being increased. The aim is to meet the increased need for education and transition in the labour market as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

With the outbreak of the coronavirus which causes the illness COVID-19, the Government is following developments carefully and is in continuous contact with the responsible authorities. The Government is taking the decisions that are necessary to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and combat the effects of the virus spreading through society. Below is a summary of the work being done in the policy areas of the Ministry of Education and Research.

Seville, Spain, November 27-28, 2019 Check against delivery.

Stockholm, November 20, 2019 Check against delivery

In its written communication A strategy for Swedish space activities (2017/18:259), the Government has presented a strategy that now forms a platform for Sweden’s long-term work on space activities. The strategy includes an overall description of the areas the Government wishes to prioritise and the targets that exist for the respective areas.