Education and research

Since 2016, Sweden has had a bilateral cooperation agreement with the US on cancer research. During Minister for Health and Social Affairs Lena Hallengren’s visit to Washington DC on 1 June, the parties confirmed the desire to deepen their cooperation by extending the agreement.

Today, Minister for Education Anna Ekström is meeting the UK’s Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, George Freeman, and Minister for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences, Lord Kamall. In connection with their meeting in London, they will sign a memorandum of understanding in the area of life sciences. The memorandum builds on a long tradition of Swedish-UK cooperation and is intended to promote joint progress on policy development, technical standards, industry engagement, research, development and implementation of new technologies and treatments.

Minister for Education Anna Ekström will visit the UK on 26–27 May alongside the King and Queen. Ms Ekström’s programme includes visits to AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge, a speech at the Impact sustainability event in London, and signing a memorandum of understanding on life sciences between Sweden and the UK.

Displaced Ukrainian researchers need support during Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Swedish higher education institutions and research funding bodies have already launched a number of support initiatives. The Government has now tasked the Swedish Research Council with providing comprehensive information about support available to researchers who leave Ukraine and come to Sweden.

On Wednesday 2 March, Minister for Education Anna Ekström held a press briefing with Vice-Chancellor of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF) Hans Adolfsson and Director General of the Swedish Research Council Sven Stafström due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Government continues to push for sanctions against Russia, support to Ukraine and strengthening Sweden.

Opinion piece by Minister for Education Anna Ekström and Minister for Employment and Gender Equality Eva Nordmark.

Sweden’s seventh international Office of Science and Innovation was established at the Embassy of Sweden in London on 1 January 2022. The Office will develop and strengthen collaboration between the UK and Sweden on issues linked to the Government’s life sciences strategy, its export and investment strategy, the Research and Innovation Bill, and the Government’s strategic partnership programmes.

Arrivals and doorstep at Malmömässan

The Holocaust was driven by hatred against Jews. However, it affected not only Jews but the whole society. Antisemitism is a concern for society as a whole and may be symptomatic of eroding democracy. Contemporary antisemitism, antigypsyism and other forms of racism and intolerance exist in many forms and flourish in different contexts. Wherever we see it, we must both react – and – act. The concluding Plenary Session focuses on action, the steps forward to ensure implementation of the pledges presented at the Forum, and how we can join forces to strengthen the work for Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism and other forms of racism.

Today, few survivors remain to bear witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. The opening Plenary Session reflects on the consequences of the diminishing number of survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust, the Roma genocide and the persecution that different groups were exposed to during the Holocaust. The international community has an obligation to ensure that the Holocaust is remembered and that future generations understand the causes of and the process leading up to the Holocaust, and to reflect on its consequences to prevent this from ever happening again

The Swedish labour market is currently suffering a skills shortage in many areas while at the same time, Sweden has high unemployment. Could a data-driven solution help to resolve the mismatch? Many of the members of the partnership group for Skills supply and lifelong learning think it could.

May 19, 2021. Check against delivery.

The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for universal and sustainable environmental, social and economic development. It is made up of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 4 emphasises quality education as a prerequisite for sustainable societies and lifestyles.

On 17–19 May, Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans will lead Sweden’s delegation at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development.

A Polish court has ordered two Holocaust researchers to apologise for information in a research report published in 2018 on the fate of Jews in German-occupied Poland in 1939–1945.

Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is taking part in a high-level meeting today, Wednesday 3 February. Participants have been convened by UNESCO to mark the start of the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which starts in 2021.

The Government’s Research and Innovation Bill outlines the direction of Sweden’s research policy over the next four years. The resources will increase considerably already next year to tackle major societal challenges and safeguard freedom of research. The aim is for Sweden to be one of the world’s foremost research and innovation countries and a prominent knowledge nation. The appropriation will increase by SEK 3.4 billion in 2021. The estimated investments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 are around SEK 3.2. billion, SEK 3.3 billion and SEK 3.75 billion respectively. Research and innovation are needed to restart the economy and build skills, competitiveness and welfare.

Minister for Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans is attending a ministerial conference on the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) today, Thursday 19 November. The agenda includes discussions on higher education in Europe and the adoption of the Rome Ministerial Communiqué. Ms Ernkrans will also deliver a speech.

Sweden’s national life sciences strategy was launched in late December 2019 to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Sweden as a life sciences nation.