The Local Sweden

Sweden's official Twitter account blocks (then unblocks) 14,000 users in hate speech controversy

Wed, 17 May 2017 19:21:26 +0200

The government agency behind Sweden's official Twitter account chose to keep an extensive list of users blocked by a previous curator of @sweden. But the move stirred public outrage, and all 14,000 users were unblocked the next day.

Curators of Sweden in Stockholm 'Tweet-up'

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 20:03:00 +0200

Almost one year after the inception of the “Curators of Sweden”, the ex-curators and organizers met up on Friday to plan the next step for the world’s "most democratic" Twitter account.

'Stockholm has to fix its housing problem'

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:27:00 +0200

With the clock ticking on the lease for her current home in Stockholm, US-native and parent Rebecca Ahlfeldt reflects on how Sweden needs to improve the housing situation for visiting students, researchers and other skilled workers.

Stockholm's Sweden Bookshop closes down

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:46:00 +0200

Stockholm’s Sweden Bookshop, a store run by the Swedish Institute that sold books about Sweden in other languages, closed down on Friday with the remaining stock to be sold online.

Swedish Institute launches Arabic website

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:11:00 +0200

Sweden's "official gateway" on the internet launched an Arabic edition on Wednesday, in an effort to strengthen Sweden's dialogue with the Arabic speaking world.

Sweden tenth most attractive nation — again

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:15:00 +0200

Sweden retains its position as the tenth most attractive country in the world, writes Liselott Bergman of the Swedish Institute. That is the result of this year’s Anholt-GfK Nation Brands Index (NBI), which measures the global image of 50 countries in terms of attractiveness and perceived qualities. One of Sweden’s challenges is to promote itself as a tourist destination – without having an Eiffel Tower or any other world-famous postcard motif to offer.

Green Swedish fashion takes Berlin

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:40:00 +0100

Recognised as a country of nature lovers and cutting-edge design, it is not surprising that Sweden has fostered a strong new generation of fashion designers who combine fashion and sustainability, writes Anna Maria Bernitz of the Swedish Institute. Four Swedish eco designers are taking part in the Berlin Fashion Week to take a stand against the overuse of nature’s resources.

Agency blasts Sweden's 'most expensive' ranking

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:47:00 +0100

The Swedish Institute has slammed as “nonsense” an index released last week which ranked Sweden as the most expensive country in the world.

'Brand Sweden' goes local

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:28:00 +0200

Nation-branding, though controversial in some quarters, is becoming ever more important and can be of great value to towns and regions wishing to reach out to the wider world, writes Joakim Norén of the Swedish Institute.

Swedish brand ranked tenth in the world

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:18:00 +0200

Sweden needs to improve its image in emerging markets if it is to advance from its tenth position on a prestigious global brand index, writes Liselott Bergman from the Swedish Institute.

Transforming Sweden through social media

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:42:00 +0200

On paper, Sweden became transparent in 1776 with the enactment of freedom of information and freedom of speech laws. About 70 countries have freedom of information laws in use today. On the web, we’re just about getting our feet wet, writes Sweden.se editor Rikard Lagerberg.

Management by consensus – the Swedish way

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:21:00 +0100

Swedish managers are typically supposed to be consensual, non-hierarchical and informal. How far does the stereotype match reality, asks Olle Wästberg, director-general of the Swedish Institute.

Sweden – a new melting pot?

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:04:00 +0100

As Sweden opens its borders to a new wave of labour migration, the country is becoming more diverse than ever before, writes Olle Wästberg, director-general of the Swedish Institute.

'Every Swede has a cousin in America'

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:19:00 +0100

Sweden has deep historic ties with the United states, writes Olle Wästberg, director-general of the Swedish Institute. And even though some Americans mistakenly associate Sweden with the cuckoo clock, the relationship remains largely one of mutual understanding and respect.