During this year’s Almedalsveckan in Visby, where politicians, researchers, businesses, and civil society come together, CIRCLE at Lund University will host a panel discussion on crisis preparedness.
The panel brings together different perspectives:
- Alice Bah Kuhnke, Member of the European Parliament
- Peter Griepenkerl Lööf, Head of Research at the Länsförsäkringar Research Foundation
- Linda Stihl, Postdoctoral Researcher in Economic History
- Markus Grillitsch, Professor of Economic Geography
The discussion will be moderated by Lars Coenen, Professor of Innovation and Sustainability Transitions.
Preparing for the Future
Sweden and Europe face major challenges related to climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, and technological change. Addressing these challenges will require significant societal and economic transformation. Our ability to adapt will be crucial in determining how resilient our societies become.
But what does it take to enable change on a larger scale? And how can we use current challenges as a foundation for building a society that is stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared for the future?
The local perspective
The panel will explore how crises can be turned into opportunities, and what is needed to make that shift possible.
“Global efforts to address these challenges affect regions in different ways and risk creating both winners and losers. A key question is how we can strengthen local initiative, democracy, and place-based development at a time characterised by ambitious national and European goals, while ensuring that development remains close to people and rooted in local contexts,” says Markus Grillitsch.
The discussion will highlight the role of local initiatives in strengthening collective preparedness and ensuring that societies are better equipped to respond to future crises.
Linda Stihl adds:
“I would like to draw attention to the important work being carried out at the local level across Sweden by elected representatives, civil servants, businesses, and civil society. I also hope to discuss how different levels of decision-making can either support or hinder local development efforts.”
Read more about the event, in Swedish, in the Almedalen guide: https://almedalsveckan.info/rg/almedalsveckan/evenemang-almedalsveckan/…
”Almedalsveckan” is a democratic forum open to all – a unique blend of political summit and openness, offering a space for dialogue, exchange, and unexpected encounters that contribute to the development of society.
The 2026 Almedalsveckan event takes place in Visby, Gotland from June 22 to June 26.