Ministry of Education and Research

In an increasingly uncertain world, the risk of nuclear weapons being used is greater than it has been for a long time, and education, research and information for the public are needed in this area. The Swedish Research Council has now been tasked with collecting expressions of interest and proposing a university or other higher education institution to receive funding for the establishment of a national knowledge centre for nuclear disarmament.

“By learning about our history we can strengthen and defend our open and democratic Swedish society today and in the future”, says Minister for Education Anna Ekström.

The Living History Forum will receive SEK 10 million to start preparations connected to the establishment of a Swedish museum to preserve and perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust. One starting point is documenting the stories of Swedish Holocaust survivors.

“Despite the fact that racism and Nazism should have been relegated to the scrapheap of history long, long ago, they are flourishing today. All members of society must be involved in stopping racism in all its forms and expressions", said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in the Statement of Government Policy.

The 3 September Anna Ekström had a digital meeting with Elisabeth Citrom, Holocaust survivor. Mrs Citrom’s eyewitness testimony from the Holocaust is currently being documented for the Swedish version of Dimensions in Testimony.

Research and innovation are crucial to Sweden’s competitiveness and to rebooting the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the autumn budget, the Government is therefore proposing increased funding to Vinnova, RISE and Business Sweden for measures that help reboot Sweden. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

The University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is being strengthened to meet educational needs and fight unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis. SLU will receive additional funding that will enable it to offer more places on educational programmes in shortage occupations and for lifelong learning.

This compilation contains a selection of acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force in mid-2020.

At a press briefing on June 11, Minister for Education Anna Ekström explained the Swedish decision to not close down the entire school system.

How many people work at the Government Offices? What was the central government budget like last year? How many acts and ordinances were issued last year? The answer to these and other questions can be found in the Swedish Government Offices Yearbook 2019.

The human rights situation in Sweden was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council at the end of January as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Sweden received 300 recommendations from other UN Member States. The Government has now communicated its position on the recommendations in a report to be submitted to the UN.

The world is facing a new, and severe, challenge. The spread of the new coronavirus and COVID-19 is challenging our countries. We are all working to fight the pandemic and its effects. Due to this, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has announced that the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism 2020 has been postponed.

The Swedish Government has adopted an updated strategy to combat antibiotic resistance. The overarching goal continues to be preserving the possibility of effective treatment of bacterial infections in humans and animals. The strategy will apply until the end of 2023.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is increasing the number of student places. One hundred new places are already being created for summer courses this year and the number of places in the foundation year is being increased. The aim is to meet the increased need for education and transition in the labour market as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 virus.

With the outbreak of the coronavirus which causes the illness COVID-19, the Government is following developments carefully and is in continuous contact with the responsible authorities. The Government is taking the decisions that are necessary to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and combat the effects of the virus spreading through society. Below is a summary of the work being done in the policy areas of the Ministry of Education and Research.

The Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are now presenting further measures to alleviate the impact of the virus outbreak on jobs and the economy in Sweden.

In connection with the Government’s International Forum for Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, the Government is allocating SEK 10 million to a national initiative to increase knowledge in schools and society.

On Holocaust Remembrance Day January 27 several representatives from the Swedish Government participated in memorial services to honour the victims of the Holocaust and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.