Study trip to Gälve and Sandviken
The Protocol Department invites Ambassadors and their spouses to a study trip to the County of Gävleborg on the 23rd of April, 2013.
The trip to Gävle will be made by train, scheduled to leave Stockholm from the Central Station at 8.15 on the 23th of April. The trip back will also be carried out by train, arriving in Stockholm at 21.40 on the same day.
Due to budget restrictions imposed on the MFA, train costs will have to be covered by the participants themselves (please transfer the sum of SEK 700 per person to bank giro no 5050-2939. Mark the payment with your name and "Gävle").
Heads of Mission wishing to participate are kindly asked to notify the Protocol Department no later than the 8th of April by e-mail to ud.events@regeringskansliet.se.
The application period for programs and courses at Swedish universities is now open
The Protocol Department would like to inform that between March 15 and April 15, prospective and current students can apply for the university programs and courses starting in the autumn of 2013. Applications are handled by the national portal University Admissions.
H.R.H. Princess Lilian has passed away
Princess Lilian passed away on Sunday March 10 at the age of 97. Princess Lilian died peacefully at her home on Djurgården in Stockholm. Princess Lilian was married to Prince Bertil, The King's uncle.
The funeral will take place on 16 March 13.00 in the Royal Chapel.
Seminar on Sweden's alcohol policy and the role of Systembolaget
On February 22, the Protocol Department arranged a seminar for diplomats at the Rosenbad Conference Centre regarding Sweden's alcohol policy and the role of Systembolaget. Representatives of Systembolaget gave a presentation entitled "Satisfying the customer the Swedish way". The presentation was followed by a visit to Systembolaget's store at Drottninggatan 22.
Swedish Government's Music Export Prize for 2012 awarded to Johan 'Shellback' Schuster - Special Prize to Refused
On Friday 22 February, the Minister for Trade Ewa Björling presented the Government's Music Export Prize for 2012. The winner was the producer Johan 'Shellback' Schuster. This year's Special Prize for outstanding services to Swedish music abroad over many years went to the hardcore band Refused.
"The interest in Swedish music and the important role played by Swedish musical successes in the international arena cannot be overestimated," says Dr Björling. "This makes it a special pleasure to award the Government's Music Export Prize to music creators who help to increase both awareness and curiosity about Sweden abroad."
Winter Sports Holiday
The Protocol Department wishes to inform that next week (25 February - 1 March) the schools in Stockholm are closed for winter sports holiday (Sw. "sportlov"). Many parents take the week off and you might therefore find that your usual interlocutors are out of town.
Music Export Prize and Special Prize for 2013
The winners of the Government's Music Export Prize and Special Prize for 2013 will be announced on 22 February. The prizes are awarded to persons or groups in the music industry who have made outstanding contributions to Swedish export success and put Sweden in the international spotlight. They are presented by Minister for Trade Ewa Björling during a ceremony at the International Press Centre. Last year's Music Export Prize was awarded to the Swedish House Mafia, while the Special Prize went to Roxette.
The Statement of Foreign Policy 2013
New ambassadors
Four new ambassadors, from Botswana, Slovakia, New Zealand and Jamaica, present their letters of credence to H.M. The King on 13 February 2013.
Sweden is chairing the intergovernmental Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) for the period 2013-14
On 31 January 2013, the Government Offices of Sweden organized a national launch of the Chairmanship of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Stockholm. The purpose of the launch was to spread information about the GFMD and the Swedish Chairmanship in the Forum including the priorities and program and to inform about the existing Swedish policies on migration and development. It also aimed at raising awareness among Swedish actors of the Swedish Chairmanship and inspire to activity within the nexus of migration and development.
The half-day event brought together more than 130 persons representing the Government Offices of Sweden, relevant Swedish authorities, the civil society and the private sector, international organisations and representatives from Embassies in Stockholm as well as the media.
During the launch, Mr. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and Ms. Sofia Strand, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson, participated in a panel discussion together with United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative on Migration and Development, Mr. Peter Sutherland. This panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Khalid Koser, Deputy Director and Academic Dean at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. A second panel discussion was also held which focused on Swedish actors and how they could engage in issues concerning migration and development during the coming 18 months of the Swedish Chair.
