Government newsletter - Commission on the Future of Sweden launches dialogue on the future
17 November 2011

Commission on the Future of Sweden launches dialogue on the future

Picture of two girls bicykling. Photo: Ewa Ahlin/Johnér

The 16th of November the Government presented its Commission on the Future of Sweden. Over a period of one-and-a-half years, the Commission will work on identifying long-term challenges for Sweden and try to arrive at answers. The leaders of the four Government parties will draw on the expertise and ideas of researchers, economists, business sector representatives and members of Swedish society to help Sweden choose the right path to the future.

Four challenges for the future and four future-oriented inquiries

The Government has identified four challenges that the Commission on the Future of Sweden will look at more closely. Four future-oriented inquiries will be appointed within the framework of the Commission's work, based on these four challenges. The leaders of the four Government parties will each have special responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the progress of one inquiry. The Commission will also actively invite people from all around the country to give their views on the future of Sweden.

A picture of an elderly couple sitting on a bench in a park. Photo: Conny Fridh/Johnér

The first challenge concerns our demographic development and will be coordinated by the Prime Minister. The phases of life look different now compared with just fifty years ago. This is a trend that will be amplified as the elderly population grows and we live increasingly long lives. The inquiry will draw up a scenario for Sweden's potential demographic future and the outlook for different phases of life. It will look at prospects in different parts of the country, but also around the world. How does our demographic development in Sweden compare with the big picture in the world around us?

How can we become better at seeing everybody?

Integration, gender equality, democracy and participation are the second challenge for the future. This will be coordinated by the Minister for Education and will focus on how Sweden can see and make the most of the skills and abilities of everyone living in our country. In many respects, Sweden is a country of social and gender equality. But sometimes we still fall short. It can be difficult for people not born in Sweden to break into the Swedish labour market. And it is still the case that many women work less than men and have greater difficulty getting by on their own earnings.

The inquiry will look more closely at these issues and seek answers to the question of what is required for us to become better at making the most of the potential of both women and men, people born in Sweden and people born in other countries. The inquiry will also study how we can safeguard democracy and participation in society.

Sustainable growth in a globalised world

The third challenge for the future, which will be coordinated by the Minister for Enterprise, concerns how Sweden can develop into a green economy by pursuing sustainable growth. Development and innovation have an increasing role to play in solving serious social problems in Sweden and other countries. But this trend is accompanied by challenges for our environment and our climate. When we trade with distant countries, we increase emissions and our impact on the environment. As we use more and more natural resources, we risk depleting ecosystems and diminishing biodiversity. How can we ensure that Sweden persists in its sustainable growth? And how can we become better at measuring our success in working towards a green economy?

What paths are open into Swedish society?

The Minister for Health and Social Affairs will coordinate the fourth challenge for the future, which concerns justice, cohesion and how to lay the foundation for an inclusive society in the future. Taken as a group, Swedes have never been better off than they are today, in material terms, despite the economic turbulence around us. Yet far too many people in our country live in scarcity. Mental ill health is increasing among young people. Many people feel rootless and some become entrenched in long-term exclusion. How can we build on fundamental Swedish values such as trust, tolerance and solidarity? Perhaps material questions and answers are not always enough. What paths are open into society for a person seeking community and connectedness? For a person who is excluded or who comes from outside?

The Commission on the Future of Sweden will look more closely at these four challenges facing our society. It will stimulate discussion and listen to views from all around Sweden. From people who will be living in our society in 20 or 40 years' time. Its work will result in a report, to be presented by 1 March 2013, on the challenges facing Swedish society and proposals on how to respond to them.

Members of the Commission on the Future of Sweden

Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt chairs the Commission. Minister for Education Jan Björklund, Minister for Enterprise Annie Lööf and Minister for Health and Social Affairs Göran Hägglund are members. Today the leaders of the four Government parties will present the other members of the Commission at a seminar at Blackebergs Gymnasium in Stockholm. The other members are:

Viveca Ax:son Johnson, Chair of the Board of Directors, Nordstjernan
Klas Eklund, Economist and Adjunct Professor
Helena Jonsson, Chair of the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF)
Pekka Mellergård, Vice-Chancellor and Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Eva Nordmark, Chair of the Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO)
Johan Rockström, Executive Director and Professor of Natural Resource Management
Mernosh Saatchi, Managing Director, Humblestorm
Lars Trägårdh, Professor of History
Stina Westerberg, Director-General, Music Development and Heritage Sweden

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