WORKSHOPS

Svenska Institutet / The Swedish Institute – SI Network for Future Global Leaders, 6 March 2019

This full-day workshop brought together participants from the SI Network for Future Global Leaders to explore human rights, democracy, civic courage, and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) through a Nordic perspective.

Drawing on Sweden’s diplomatic legacy and the Nordic tradition of democratic governance, the workshop combined expert lectures, group discussions, and interactive exercises. Key themes included the role of diplomacy in advancing human rights, the importance of civic courage in defending democratic values, and the individual and collective responsibility to act in the face of injustice.

Speakers included Caroline Edelstam, Executive Director of the Edelstam Institute, Ambassador Jan Axel Nordlander, former Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights, Dr. Brian Palmer, social anthropologist at Uppsala University, and Bo Andersson, Secretary General of the Norden Association. Together, they highlighted how democratic procedures, trust-based leadership, and inclusive dialogue – the Nordic Way – form the foundation for sustainable peace, democracy, and human rights.

The workshop emphasized practical engagement, encouraging participants to reflect on their own responsibility and capacity to contribute to positive change, while strengthening networks for future global leadership.

HOSTED VISITS

Visit to The Swedish National Audit Office (Riksrevisionen), April 24, 2025

The Edelstam Institute, in collaboration with Norden International, hosted a visit at Riksrevisionen, the Swedish National Audit Office (SNAO), for a discussion with Ms. Eva Theisz, Head of Department for International Affairs, and Senior International Advisors Mr. Peter Rostedt and Ms. Anna Coyet.

During the visit, participants learned about the role and work of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from both a national and international perspective, including international auditing standards and cooperation among SAIs. The session offered a unique opportunity for direct dialogue, questions, and insight into Sweden’s approach to accountability, transparency, and international governance.

Visit to Kommerskollegium – Dialogue on International Trade Policy, October 6, 2025

In October 2025, the Edelstam Institute, together with Norden International, organised a visit and discussion at Kommerskollegium (National Board of Trade Sweden) in Stockholm. The visit was hosted at Kommerskollegium’s premises at Fleminggatan 14 and brought together a large and engaged group of diplomats representing countries both within the European Union and from other regions.

The delegation was welcomed by Anders Ahnlid, Director-General of Kommerskollegium, who shared perspectives on Sweden’s trade policy, the EU internal market, and current international trade challenges. The discussion was moderated by Mats Hellström, Ambassador, Chair of Norden International, and former Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade, EU Affairs, Nordic Issues, and Agriculture.

The visit provided valuable insights into Sweden’s approach to trade, multilateral cooperation, and the evolving global trade environment, and was met with strong interest and active participation from the diplomatic community.

This visit marked the second hosted dialogue at Kommerskollegium jointly organised by the Edelstam Institute and Norden International. The earlier visit took place in September 2024. We are grateful to Kommerskollegium for their generous invitation and continued engagement.

TAILOR-MADE PROGRAMMES

Korean Government Overseas Fellowship Program, 13–17 May 2019

In May 2019, the Edelstam Institute designed and delivered a tailor-made, five-day training program in Sweden for a selected officer participating in the Korean Government Overseas Fellowship Program, together with a delegation of professionals from the Korean Police Headquarters, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and the Ministry of Justice.

The program was carefully customized to the participants’ professional responsibilities in victim protection, human rights, child protection, and the rights of migrant women. Its overall objective was to broaden international perspectives, strengthen practical competencies, and support the development of an international mindset within the Korean public sector.

The program combined expert lectures, policy discussions, and field visits, and brought together a wide range of Swedish and Nordic experts, including Ambassador Jan Axel Nordlander, former Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights; Professor Hans Ingvar Roth, University of Stockholm; Dr. Brian Palmer, Uppsala University; Bo Andersson, Secretary General of the Norden Association; and representatives from Amnesty International, Victim Support Sweden, Nordic Safe Cities, the Swedish Women’s Lobby, the Ombudsman for Children, and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, participants explored key topics such as:

Human rights of crime victims
Prevention of secondary victimization in criminal procedures
European best practices in victim support
Human rights protection for children and migrant women

Drawing on Sweden’s human rights tradition and the Nordic model of democratic governance, the tailor-made program encouraged in-depth dialogue, comparative analysis, and experience sharing. It offered participants both strategic insight and practical tools to strengthen victim protection and human rights work in an international context.