Norra Scen takes Almedalen from the mine to space

How do we build a fossil-free society? What impact does the security situation have on the industry's transition and the need for infrastructure and preparedness in the North? And how can Swedish space research contribute to sustainability on Earth? Welcome to Norra Scen in Almedalen – here the most important perspectives meet, from mining to space.

Norra Scen is a collaboration between Region Norrbotten, LKAB and Luleå University of Technology. For the third year in a row, we are focusing on some of the most important issues of our time. On June 25, we will open our arena for conversations about the future issues and challenges that are at their peak in Norrbotten, but are a concern for all of Sweden.

The green transition, and the societal transformation that must go hand in hand with it, has received a lot of attention. But it has also pointed out the weaknesses in the Swedish social structure. Will we have time to build the energy system of the future when an individual permit can take decades from application to reality? What happens when the iron ore piles up because the infrastructure collapses? How do we handle all the conflicts of interest that follow the transition? And is Sweden ready and equipped to face the new security policy reality?

At Norra Scen, the seminars will touch on the EU's climate policy, energy needs, the new space race, the importance of culture, food security, population development, the needs for new infrastructure and many other issues that shape tomorrow's Sweden.

Invitation to roundtable discussion

Norra Scen – arena for green transition was first organized in the summer of 2022. The aim is to build a meeting place where knowledge is deepened, conversations are held and networks are built. This year too there will be interesting panel discussions, where the participants share knowledge, insights and perspectives. After last year's success, we are once again inviting everyone to participate in roundtable discussions.

Just like last year, Region Norrbotten has offered all the county's municipalities a favorable arrangement to facilitate their presence at Almedalen. This year, nine municipalities have chosen to attend to be seen, heard, create relationships and meet decision-makers.

The chairman of the regional board, Anders Öberg (S), will also participate this year at Norra Scen in Almedalen.

“Huge potential”

– The green transition holds enormous potential for all of Sweden. But it also holds challenges that must be solved at the national level. That is why we in Norrbotten must raise the issues on the national stage, says Anders Öberg (S), chairman of the regional board in Region Norrbotten.

This year, a minister, a county governor, members of parliament, media executives, researchers and decision-makers from the public sector and business will come to the tent at Fiskargränd 5.

– We are in the midst of the biggest transformation in our history, and at the same time we see that the infrastructure is collapsing. It doesn't work. Sweden has a unique opportunity to combine climate benefits with strengthened competitiveness and increased security for Europe. But that also requires action from politics. If the initiative is to succeed, we must also have access to competitive electricity and a robust railway, says Jan Moström, President and CEO of LKAB.

“Increased strategic importance”

Today, the eyes of Europe and the world are turned towards northern Sweden to find the keys to a sustainable future. At Norra Scen, politics, business and academia unite to chart the way forward.

– This year, the university is focusing on the increased strategic importance of the Arctic and future space technology. Two highly relevant areas in which we have many years of research. We look forward to exciting conversations, where one of our guests is astronaut Marcus Wandt, says Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Vice-Chancellor at Luleå University of Technology.

The entire program is available at Utveckla Norrbotten where the seminars are also livestreamed: Norrbotten in Almedalen - Develop Norrbotten
LKAB's Almedalen page: LKAB in Almedalen - LKAB
Luleå University of Technology's Almedalen page: LTU in Almedalen | Luleå University of Technology

Contact

Anders Öberg (S)
Chairman of the Regional Board
Phone: 070- 609 35 63
anders.oberg@norrbotten.se

Janus Brandin
Regional Development Director
Tel: 0920-71098
janus.brandin@norrbotten.se