SIS and the city
A panel of leading influential figures in the Stockholm region came together on February 21, for the inaugural Stockholm International Forum. The event, created by SIS with the enthusiastic support of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, was focused on what Stockholm needs to do as a living and working destination to appeal to the best in global talent.
Anna Kinberg Batra, Governor of Stockholm County was the keynote speaker. Her passion for Stockholm shone through alongside her desire to see the county, and Sweden as a nation, continue to innovate and be at the forefront of global technology and industry.
She enthused about Sweden’s advanced technological sectors such as engineering, battery technology, and AI, all building strongly within the Swedish economy. She also mentioned the exposure of service-based companies which comprise a large part of Stockholm’s economy. However, she cautioned, that could change in an instant. Technology allows a company like that to move its head office in an afternoon to another country, to another continent. The more service-dependant you are – and she observed that Stockholm is to a significant degree – the more exposed you are to extreme international competition. Providing a vibrant cultural sector, efficient and economical transport, and easy access to Swedish society – making it easier to get a personnummer and open a bank account for example – are all important ingredients in making Stockholm the right choice for businesses and employees.
Following Anna’s keynote, the audience of around 150, featuring senior company managers, HR, and relocation specialists, heard from the other panelists: Judith Gough, British Ambassador to Sweden, Board member and parent at SIS; Gustav Hemming, Climate, infrastructure, archipelago and regional planning, Region Stockholm; Staffan Ingvarsson, CEO, Stockholm Business Region; and Gulfem Toygar, Country Manager, Amazon Sweden, Board member and parent at SIS. Peter Sandberg, Chief Growth Officer, at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, acted as moderator.
Anna and all the panellists who followed her were extremely positive. As a country of natural beauty, good quality healthcare, and a social democratic society, Sweden had a high level of appeal, but it was important to have the infrastructure in place to support that. Education and housing emerged as essential areas of infrastructure provision where Stockholm needs to do better to attract global talent.
Clearly, the panel has been listening intently to understand the needs and demands of the global community working in Stockholm, and recognised the challenges that lie ahead. Though Sweden has an enviable reputation in the world, all the panellists were alert to the increasing global competition and the need to guard against complacency.
The contribution of SIS, and other schools like us, was valued and respected by the audience. The International Baccalaureate was seen as an important factor in attracting an international workforce as it gives their children continuity while the family may remain mobile without compromise.
Director of SIS, Marisa León, spoke at the event of the School’s investment in Norra Latin, ‘Norra Latin shows our commitment to our students and their families, and the prospects for the city and the region. It will allow us to grow, to educate more students, to continue to provide a high-quality education in a high-quality environment, and I am proud to be able to lead Stockholm International School on the journey as we approach our 75th anniversary of serving the region.
‘This was a wonderful listening and learning opportunity for the School. SIS will continue to play its part, meeting the demand for IB education in an atmosphere of equity and inclusivity as we continue to educate the world in Stockholm.’
