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A podcast for bad environmentalists

How can I be hopeful? How much trouble are we in? Is it my fault? These are some of the questions raised in “The Bad Environmentalist” – a podcast presented by Phoebe Lewis and Maria Stacke who are two fellow Lund University alumnae.

The faces behind the podcast: Maria Stacke and Phoebe Lewis.
Photo: Private

It all started at an engagement party in Iraq where Phoebe and Maria realized they wanted to pursue the idea of doing a podcast raising climate change and environmental issues. Since then, they have produced eight episodes and have had about two thousand listeners from all around Europe and some from North America. The podcast’s main objective is to give guidance to those that think of themselves as “bad environmentalists,” by giving advice to those who care about the environment although considering themselves being bad at doing so.

–          We wanted to capture conversations we have had with friends about feeling guilt and what really matters when it comes to caring about the environment, Maria explains.

Both Phoebe and Maria used to be students at Lund University. Phoebe was an international exchange student and studied geology for one semester. Meanwhile, Maria pursued a Master’s degree in Public Health. They both think that their different fields of study at Lund University were helpful in the making of the podcast by providing them with different outlooks on the topics they discuss.

–        Maria comes from a social science perspective, whereas I am coming at the topics from an environmental sciences point of view. It created an interesting balance between us, says Phoebe.

Behind the scenes of the podcast recording. Picture: Private

Nowadays, Maria works at the Red Cross in Iraq and Phoebe works for the United Nations in Egypt. However, they both believe that their experience from Lund University not only influenced their podcast, but also prepared them for the work they do today.

–          I had lots of international students in my Master’s programme and  learning from my classmates was an incredible addition to learning from my teachers. In my current job, I work with people from all around the world. I think the experience of interacting with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds during my studies at Lund University prepared me for that, Maria tells us.

Phoebe also had a similar experience in her semester being an international student herself.

–  I was mostly surrounded by other international students, especially from France. So I really started to re-engage in the language, which I now speak in my current line of work. Secondly, because my course was heavily focused on colonialism and development, it gave me some thoughts about how we approach development now. This is incredibly helpful for the approach I take working in development today, Phoebe says.

The podcast has finished its first season, but Phoebe and Maria are planning on producing a second season. Until then, the advice they have for fellow alumni that consider themselves being “bad environmentalists” is to remember that small things matter and it is okay not to get it right every single time.

– The whole purpose is to identify one single thing that you as an individual can do that has the greatest amount of impact, Phoebe says.

 

You can listen to Phoebe and Marias podcast here. It’s also available on most podcast apps (Spotify, Apple Podcast etc.)

2019-11-27

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Alumna debuts with feel-bad novel

Ethnologist, doctoral student and now author - Linda Sturesson has done it all. Photo: Private

Ethnologist, doctoral student and author are three words that describe alumna Linda Sturesson. In April earlier this year she released her debut novel Diskvalificering av det positiva (Disqualification of the positive), a feel-bad novel with room for humour amidst all the grief. Lundensaren took the opportunity to ask the author a few questions about the book, the writing process and balancing a doctoral studentship with being an author.

 

Tell us a bit about your novel. What is Diskvalificering av det positiva about?

– Diskvalificiering av det positiva is about Alexandra who rather reluctantly has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She reaches out to a patient association for people with psychiatric diagnoses, which at the same time is organising a writing course. In the writing course, participants with ambitions to become authors as well as psychiatric diagnoses come together. The participants turn the meetings into therapy sessions to Alexandra’s annoyance. Alongside Alexandra and the writing course, the reader is able to follow a young girl born in post-war Warsaw, who is taken to a children’s home. After a few years she is returned home and her life transforms into a nightmare.

Where did the idea for the novel come from?

– There were several events. On the one hand, I happened to hear a conversation between two young women who were saying that they wanted a specific diagnosis confirmed before they went on to university studies because they believed it would give them certain advantages. On the other hand, I have personal experience of anxiety and depression. I am interested in matters concerning mental health issues, how they are managed and how they arise, medication, an individual’s responsibility for their wellbeing, the need for diagnoses and labelling as well as how trauma may be inherited.

In addition to being an author, you are also a doctoral student at Karolinska Institutet. Is it hard to find a balance between your writing and your work there?

– Yes, sometimes it is hard to find a balance. My work involves a lot of reading, analysing and writing and I can become very focused on my work, which can make it difficult to redirect my thoughts to my literary texts. During intensive writing periods at work, I sometimes cannot even think about my manuscripts that are waiting for me. If I am writing a lot at work, I do less writing at home. That might be a shame, however, I think all writing is fun and challenging, irrespective of whether it is scientific or literary.

You also have a Master’s degree in Ethnology from Lund University. What have your studies meant for you as an author?

– It has meant an awful lot. I do not think I would have received a book contract without the additional dimensions that my background in ethnology has given me. As an example, with my background, I have been able to twist and turn things and examine issues that interest me and been able to do that between the lines. Generally, I think my studies in ethnology, and my research studies as well, have meant that my descriptions of environments and characters are not so value-loaded, instead they are more concise and matter-of-fact.” 

Finally, do you have any advice for other alumni who dream about writing a novel?

– One tip is to dig beneath your feet. Try to find material for your texts in yourself or your own surroundings. Another piece of advice is to read and write about everything, either during the writing process or when you think that you are finished with the manuscript. Sometimes it is necessary to rewrite a text many times. Furthermore, you should not think about the fact that the novel is going to be read by someone else, because then the story may be limited to what you believe others will accept. The risk is that the story may then lose some of its soul.

 

2019-11-25

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LU Alumni around the world: Cairo, Egypt

Next up in this series is Phoebe Lewis. Back in 2012 she studied Enviromental Geography at Lund University. Today she is located in Cairo, working as an argicultural officer at the United Nations.

Has working for the UN always been a goal of yours? 

I come from a family of development workers, some even working elsewhere in the United Nations. As such, the concept of service and the idea of working to support those with less than you were always guiding principles in scoping my career. Oddly, the idea of working for the United Nations was never my first go-to. My career so far has been tied to a single, simple question: where will I be of most use in the global effort to address climate change? With this in mind, the institution I serve is of less importance than the substance of the work. Having said this, the United Nations is currently the place that allows me to deliver in a way that matters.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

I work in our Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa. Most of the work I do is providing support to our country offices. This could be providing technical insight on documents or projects, or providing operational support to ensure that work is implemented, monitored and funded. So my typical day depends on the time of year. At some points, you will find me researching and writing reports all day. Other months, I will be on phone calls, in meetings and furiously responding to emails to make sure that our country offices report on their implementation efforts by deadlines. My favourite times are when I go on missions to help set up or inspect projects that we have in the field.

Phoebe participating in a Nile River basin clean up for UN Day. Photo: Private

Besides your current work, what have you been doing since your graduation?

My career has been relentlessly aimed at delivering, in my own humble way, on reversing the climate crisis. In the 5 years I have been in formal employment since graduating, I have now come at it from different angles. My first job after university was working on climate change research and communications at the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change based in Venice, Italy. From research, I then moved to Sir Richard Branson’s climate change non-profit called, at that time, the Carbon War Room. There, we worked with private sector to reduce emissions from industry while waiting for policy to catch up. Now, I am on the other side of that, working with the public sector, seeing how those policies can catch up and what practical work can be done on the ground to implement the policies that already exist. In addition to this, I started a podcast called The Bad Environmentalist on how to care about the environment when you are really bad at it. When I am not thinking about climate change, which unfortunately for people who invite me to dinner parties is infrequently, I travel and do as much dance as I can here in Cairo!

In her spare time, Phoebe hosts an enviromental-themed podcast

You take a big interests in the environment and the topic of climate change – is this something you bring into your role as an agricultural officer?

Absolutely.  How we manage agriculture, forests and land are key elements to mitigating climate change. What we eat, what food we waste, and how we manage our land are essential components of both the climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Emissions from this sector account for roughly a quarter of global emissions. And the small-scale farmers that provide so much of our agricultural production are often on the forefront of impacts of climate change that we are already seeing globally and certainly in the region in which I work. I chose to join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations precisely for these reasons.

Your current work is located in Cairo, Egypt. What has been your experience of working there? 

I had never expected to work in Cairo, let alone the Middle East and North Africa. Personally and professionally, the first few months were challenging. There is no denying that Cairo is a vast, polluted mega-city that is difficult to live in, especially as a woman. There is a lot of harassment, traffic, and few things work the way you would expect. Even so, from the first cold winter night that I arrived in the city with a broken suitcase and a guitar that I have rarely played since, I could sense the immense history, culture and beauty of this capital. The more Arabic I learnt, the more I explored the city and country, the more I have come to develop a profound affection for Cairo. It is home. And this is very important for anyone working overseas – to put down your roots wherever you are, no matter how long you will be there.

But once I became grounded – which was quickly – I threw myself into my work. This has been both rewarding and challenging in equal measure. Working in a multi-cultural environment and a host country that is not your own alters the way you communicate.  It teaches you humility and encourages patience.  I have been fortunate to develop a range of skills I never thought I would. These include learning Arabic and French. They also include learning to cope when the internet cuts out for the fifth time that day.  It has been an amazing experience.

You were an exchange student at Lund University, do you think your experience has influenced your work in any way? 

My time at Lund University taught me so much about interacting in multi-cultural environments. Most importantly, we native English-speakers seem to go through the world with an expectation that everyone will speak to us in our language. At Lund, I learnt how much effort goes into learning someone else’s language and how much you can learn about someone when you make that effort. The Erasmus Exchange programme was by far the highlight of my university career. I hope it continues so that other students can benefit from it.

What’s one of your best memories from your studies at Lund University?

The people were what made the experience at Lund University exceptional. I had the most amazing flat mates with whom I shared the very best of times. A particularly amazing memory was the trip organized by the Erasmus programme to Lapland. As someone from the Caribbean, swimming in the Barents Sea on a dark December day and coming out to find my feet freezing to the land is a memory that I will always carry with me. I had no idea it was possible to feel that cold.

2019-10-24

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Q&A with recent grad now in Stockholm

Meet alumnus Kevin Utjes, who recently graduated and is now working at an international consulting company in Stockholm.

Kevin Utjes LU alumn

Tell us a bit about what you studied.

I have a Master’s degree in Industrial Economics from Lund University, Faculty of Engineering (LTH). I started my studies in the autumn of 2013 and graduated in the spring of 2018.

When I was researching my options for university studies, I was not quite sure what I wanted to do. I was dedicated to finding out as much as possible about my options, and Industrial Economics seemed to be an interesting and attractive programme. Therefore, I decided to apply! Of course, I had also heard that Lund was a spectacular student town, and I must admit that I was not disappointed.

During my studies, I enjoyed the mix of economics and technical courses. There were plenty of possibilities to select courses based on my individual interests. As a bonus, a degree in Industrial Economics is very attractive on the job market!

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduation, I moved to Stockholm and started working as a management consultant at a global consultant company, McKinsey & Company. During my year in this position, I have had the great opportunity to work with colleagues from all over the world. I am working in teams and we sort out complex challenges with companies in many different branches. The diverse variety of projects makes me feel challenged in my job and contributes greatly to my personal development. It is so rewarding to be able to work with fantastic colleagues and work with real problems!

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

That is a great question! I enjoy my current work and I see myself growing professionally within this field. For me, it has always been important to have a clear direction in what I do, and in the short run make sure to find ways to reach the goals I have set for myself.

2019-10-18

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Q&A with alumni

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Being “liked”: Personal Branding on Social Media

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram – these are all platforms that most of us are familiar with. In fact, as of 2018, the average daily social media usage of internet users worldwide amounted to 136 minutes per day (Statista.com). With social media being so common, we hear a lot of people speaking about building a personal brand online. But what is the meaning of a personal brand? Is personal branding on social media something everyone should consider?  


Cecilia Cassinger, Researcher within the field of Strategic Communication. Photo: Private

I wanted an expert’s point of view. Therefore, I had a chat with Cecilia Cassinger, a senior lecturer in strategic communication at Lund University with a PhD in business administration with a focus on marketing.

Q: So first of all, what is a personal brand?

– Tom Peter (1999) wrote a book on the topic in the end of the 90’s, where he argued that officials needed to differentiate themselves from others due to a more flexible labor market. According to Peter, a way to become more attractive for employers was to present personal skills and properties according to the same brand logic found within the field of business economics. Peter’s arguments are still current to this present day, since a lot of people work as freelancers within in the so called “gig economy”.

Q: Influencer is an example of a profession that might require a strong personal brand on social media – But do you think it’s just as important for everyone?

– I don’t think it is important for all people to develop a personal brand on social media. However, it’s important to be able to communicate with other people and to be part of different networks and communities online. Important to note is that this is not the same as marketing yourself as a brand. Originally, the aim with marketing strategies was to increase sales of mass-produced goods by giving them personalities and symbolic value. Bringing the same principles to our everyday life can contribute to us seeing ourselves and our relationships in business-like terms. That is problematic in many ways; above all we need time for reflection and do things for the sake of it and not needing people’s approval of it.

Q: What kind of advantages/disadvantages do you think are connected to having a strong personal brand online?

– In online culture, visibility is rewarded. The question is however, how are we affected by being offered and consumed as a branded product? The problem is that personal brands are often based on stereotypes rather than being based on an individual’s more complex self. Instead of increasing the individual’s own power to define oneself, there is a risk of being defined by a demanding audience and being forced to deliver to their expectations.

Q: If one were to try and create a personal brand on social media, is there any special “dos and don’ts” to have in mind?

– There are higher expectations for individuals with a personal brand to constantly live and act in line with existing ideals and principles. It’s pretty difficult to have a balance between being inspirational and to influence, while also doing commercials for products and services. So in order to be credible, a public personal brand needs to coincide with one’s true self.

 

2019-10-16

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Career advice

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LU Alumni event: AW with Sharing Cities Sweden

On the 12th of September, the Alumni Network hosted an After Work at Media Evolution City in Malmö where our alumni got to learn more about Sharing Cities Sweden – a national program for the sharing economy in cities. Keynote speakers, Kes McCormik and Oscar Pelin, spoke about how the program works toward the aim to put Sweden on the map as a country that actively and critically works with the sharing economy in cities.

Keynote speakers of the night: Kes McCormik and Oscar Pelin

A part of the program is to develop test-beds for the sharing economy in different parts of Sweden. During the presentation our alumni especially got to learn about Sege Park – a special focus area for the test-bed in Malmö where sharing economy principles are integrated into the design of housing and infrastructure.

The presentations were followed by an interesting discussion about sharing cities and their role in contributing to sustainable development. An example of questions from the audience were how to change human mindset from owning to sharing and what challenges the sharing economy faces. The attendees contributed with wise questions and many  different viewpoints of the topic, which really made the event a great opportunity for both learning and discussion!

Post-presentations mingle! 

Afterwards, attendees got a chance to mingle with each other while enjoying good food and refreshments. Overall, it was a lovely evening and hopefully our attendees learned something new about sharing cities and the future development of the sharing economy. I can safely say that we at the Alumni Network did! 

2019-10-02

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4 books to read this autumn

Photo: Johan Bävman

September is coming to an end and I think it’s safe to say that autumn has officially begun. Here in Lund we’re really getting the full autumn experience, the weather is gray and rainy and the leaves on the university library are turning yellow. In other words, it’s the perfect time to get cozy inside with a good book. In honor of the book fair in Gothenburg this weekend, in which Lund University is participating, I’m going to recommend four books you can read this autumn. Some books are new, some are not. However, they are all written by Lund University alumni.

Photo: Johan Bävman

So here are four books to read if you’re into…

… Thrillers: A Nearly Normal Family by M.T Edvardsson.

“A Nearly Normal Family is a gripping legal thriller that forces the reader to consider: How far would you go to protect the ones you love? In this twisted narrative of love and murder, a horrific crime makes a seemingly normal family question everything they thought they knew about their life―and one another”

Mattias Edvardsson studied literature, Swedish and Pschycology at Lund University. His book was published in June earlier this year and has since then been sold in over 30 countries. Sound familiar? We’ve previously done a blog post about him – so scroll down on the blog to read more!

… Books in Swedish: Jag for ner till bror by Karin Smirnoff

 “In Smalånger everything is as normal. Maria has been found dead. Her brother is a drunk. Harelip John has eyes like black holes in space and the geriatric care has gotten a new employee, Janakippo, who stabbed his own father with a hayfork. “Jag for ner till bror” is a dark, raw, violent and pious story. It’s loving, passionate, warm and safe. Hardest of all, is forgiveness.”

Karin Smirnoff studied literature at Lund University and during her second year, she was nominated for 2018’s August prize, the most prestigious prize in Swedish literature, for her book. The book has not yet been translated into English, but if you want to shape up your Swedish skills this is an excellent choice. 

…Questioning things: On finding by Andreas Ekström.

This book, published in 2018, is about the ongoing search humans participate in, both online and in life. At the same time, it’s about the author’s up-coming liver transplant. 

Andreas studied literature at Lund University and collected his degree in 2002. Today he is working as a journalist at the Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan. “On finding” is a book that covers the topic of digitization in both an enjoyable and interesting way.

… A lot of pictures: The Universe of Lund by Per Lindström & Andreas Ekström

The title says it all. This is a book about the life in the universe of Lund. With its pictures it helps us remember and reminisce about how the life as a student in Lund actually was. This book will probably leave you feeling nostalgic about your time in Lund.

 

Those are my picks for some good reads this autumn. If you have any tips on great books you’d recommend to fellow alumni – leave a comment!

 

Happy reading!  

 

 

 

2019-09-27

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7 questions for the man with one of Sweden’s most interesting CVs – say “Hello” to…

    …Allan Larsson!

    You are a man with a very interesting career, both past and present. Not only were you the Finance Minister of Sweden (1990-1991) and chair of Lund University (2004 – 2012), but you have also been a member of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s expert panel for youth employability, worked as a journalist, trade unionist, politician (social democrat) and public servant. You have been the Director General of the Swedish Labour Market Board and Director General in the European Commission, as well as chair of Swedish Television. On top of that, you have recently released your third book, which also makes you an author.

    1.Out of all these important roles, which one was the most exciting on a personal level?

    “Always the one I was involved with at that particular point in time!”

    2. As chair for Lund University and Chief Negotiator for Sweden’s campaign to host ESS, you were highly involved in the work that followed regarding ESS and MAX IV, which is also the topic of your most recent book I vetenskapens värld (In the world of science). Why was it important for you to write this book?

    “Everyone has a story to tell; everyone should write their story down. Above all, I wanted to describe the ‘team’ – everyone at the University, ministries, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova, regions and municipalities, as well as embassies that have all been part of making the significant research investments in Lund possible.”

    3. In one passage, you describe how a Stanford researcher said that Lund, thanks to MAX IV and ESS, has exceptional possibilities of becoming a ‘Scientific Capital’. What do you (or did he) mean by that, in practice?

    “The main focus on materials science research has been in Germany, the United Kingdom and France. Now it is moving to Lund/Copenhagen. ESS and MAX IV have become two magnets that attract researchers to Scandinavia and draw research funding to projects that would never previously have been possible.”

    4. What are your thoughts on the possibilities of ESS and MAX IV to solve global problems?

    “That is a question I, too, have asked the researchers, and they are unanimous in their response. Thanks to ESS and Max IV, they can achieve a much better understanding of life sciences and they can improve the development of materials in a way that was previously not possible. It will have crucial significance for health, climate and other big challenges”.

    5. Do you have particularly high expectations of any specific research areas?

    “My hopes are based on the researchers’ assessments of areas with high expectations, which are in the areas of health and climate.”

    6. What are the greatest challenges for ESS and MAX IV in the future and what is required to tackle these?

    “It is a major task for Sweden to act as a host for ESS and MAX IV and it is a major task for Lund to make the significant leap to become a Big Science university. Researchers will handle the science, but Sweden and Lund will have to handle all the work surrounding the research. It is a challenge of the sort yet to be faced by the University. I am convinced that Lund will fulfil the expectations that were the basis for the decision to build ESS in Lund.”

    7. Your first memoir, Bryta ny mark (Breaking new ground) came out in 2014 and the second, Min europeiska resa (My European journey) was published in 2015. This book, I vetenskapens värld (In the world of science) came out last spring. Are there more books in the works, or what is Allan Larsson working on this autumn?

    “Yes, I’m currently writing a new and updated version of a book published by a British scientific journal in 2017. The title is How can we understand the times we are living through? This new book will be in Swedish and will include what is happening now with Brexit, Trump and other right-wing projects. I write about the long waves in politics. I question whether the nationalism, xenophobia and protectionism we are now seeing is the next long wave, which we and our children and grandchildren will live with over the next 30-40 years. Or, is there an alternative, a breakwater that will put a stop to the wave from the right?”

    2019-09-25

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    How to land your dream internship

    Finding an internship can be quite tricky. Photo: Kennet Ruona

    Being an intern can be beneficial in many ways. You get to put your knowledge to the test, it’s a great way to expand your network and it looks good on your CV. However, the process of actually landing an internship can be a bit tricky. Where should you even start? How do you find the right internship for you? I took help from Cecilia Nygren, Study guidance and administrator at the Department of Strategic Communication, in order to put together a list consisting of things to have in mind when in the search for an internship.

    Finding an internship is not Always easy. Photo: Kennet Ruona

    • Don’t be afraid to reach out to companies

    There are a lot of companies that aren’t vocal about having interns. So if you’re  interested in a company – ask if they are looking for interns. Send an email where you present yourself and your field of study and simply ask if they are interested in an intern.

    •   Have a plan

    The search will probably be easier if you actually know what you are interested in. Sit down and try to figure out what kind of work you would like to have in the future. An internship can be the start of your professional career, so make sure you are prepared with a plan.

    •  Make use of Social media

    A lot of institutions at Lund University share advertisements for internships that they receive from companies on their Facebook page. So have a look at the Facebook page for your institution. Furthermore, there are also a lot of groups on Facebook where people give tips and advice on internships within specific industries.

    • Use your network

    Ask your friends, family, teachers or even neighbors. Maybe someone knows of someone, who then knows of someone? An easy way to let everyone in your personal network know that you’re on the lookout for an internship is to do a post on social media, for example on Facebook or LinkedIn.

    Lund University has its own career network where you can apply for jobs, internships and graduate programmes. You can also easily filter your searches based on your preferences and field of study, which makes it easier to find internships that suit you.

    • Be clear with the company

    Lastly, when you actually find an internship that might be perfect for you and your goals, be clear with the company about what your expectations are. Make sure you’re on the same page about what you expect from them and vice versa.

    Finding, and actually landing, an internship is not always an easy match, but following these steps will be a good start in your journey of becoming an intern.

    Good luck with your search!

     

    2019-09-20

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    LU Alumni around the world: Batumi, Georgia

    Davit Mikeladze

    Davit Mikeladze at the officeThis week, we meet Davit Mikeladze from Batumi, Georgia. He participated in the Summer Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) on Perspectives of Multi-level Governance, Decentralisation & Human Rights in 2017. Learn more about how his participation in this programme organised by Lund University Commissioned Education, Lund University School of Economics and Management, and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute enhanced his career, as well as his involvement in the Sweden Alumni Network Georgia.

    Q: You participated in the Summer Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP) on Perspectives of Multi-level Governance, Decentralisation & Human Rights in 2017. Was this programme additional training in your existing job? Or what was your motivation for participating in Lund University’s Commissioned Education?

    In 2013-2014 I was Local Government Component Head of the USAID-funded Good Governance in Georgia (G3) Program. In this role, I took an active part in providing technical assistance to the Government of Georgia in designing and implementing local government reform in the country. This job corresponded fully to my personal and professional passions, too, as I believe that decentralization and empowering citizens on a local level creates the cornerstone of democratic and economic development in any country.

    Since joining BP in 2014 as a Community Liaison Officer, I still follow the ongoing local government reform and analyze new challenges and opportunities associated with this process. Learning about best practices from abroad and whether they can be adapted to my country, motivated me to attend various conferences and training courses dedicated to the topic of decentralization and local government organization. Among those were the John Smith Trust fellowship program in Edinburgh and London, UK in 2014, and the Winter School on Multi-Level Governance held in Innsbruck, Austria and Bolzano, Italy in 2015. Hence, for me, it was a logical continuation in my learning process when applying for the thematic module on Perspectives of Multi-level Governance, Decentralisation & Human Rights held at Lund University in 2017 in the framework of the Summer Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP).

    SAYP participants
    Georgian participants of SAYP

    I must admit that the SAYP experience was a truly enriching one and I was really impressed with excellent quality of lectures delivered, as well as the carefully selected visits to the regional and municipal authorities in Lund and Malmö to see, in practice, multi-level governance and decentralization examples in the Skåne region. As an extra bonus of participating in the SAYP module in Lund, I met a world-known Georgian scientist, Zaal Kokaia, professor of Neurology and Research Team Manager at Stem Cell Center at Lund University. I will never forget his inspiring speech.

    Meeting with Zaal Kokaia, Director of Lund Stem Cell Center
    Meeting with Zaal Kokaia, professor of Neurology and Research Team Manager at Stem Cell Center at Lund University

    Q: You are currently a Community Liaison Officer (Environment & Social Team) at BP. Has your Lund University education been beneficial in your work? In what ways?

    The knowledge I gained through comprehensive lectures and seeing how things work in practice, in terms of human rights and implementation of social policies, proved to be valuable for my work as I focus on following the social commitments and respecting rights of local communities.

    Q: What does a typical day at the office look like?

    My typical day does not only include being at the office, but rather I am often out in the field where construction activities take place. Together with my colleagues, I regularly meet with local communities adjacent to our construction sites. With active consultations and stakeholder engagement, we ensure that local residents are informed about the planned works, their rights are protected, their voices are heard and they have all the information regarding potential benefits associated to our presence in the area, which can create local employment opportunities or support community development initiatives, like financing small businesses and local infrastructure rehabilitation projects.

    In the field
    In the field

    Q: This past spring you visited Stockholm for the Swedish Institute Alumni Leaders Meeting with alumni who have studied in Sweden, from all around the world. We are keen to hear about your experience. What was your biggest takeaway from the meeting?

    It was very inspiring to hear about various valuable activities that alumni of Swedish universities are doing back in their home countries. It was also emotional to see and feel that, irrespective of different origins, diverse interests and activities, one thing that unites the thousands of us alumni around the world is Sweden and the great values that we learned in this country, such as respect for human rights and diversity, protecting the environment and supporting the global implementation of the sustainable development goals.

    Alumni Leaders meeting in Stockholm
    Participants of the Alumni Leaders Meeting in Stockholm

    Q: Have you hosted events in your home region? What’s coming up on the calendar for the Sweden Alumni Network Georgia?

    Sweden Alumni Network Georgia was named the Alumni Network of the Year 2018 by the Swedish Institute. This was a great acknowledgment of all the active and hard work that our network put together last year. Among various implemented projects, I would like to highlight the awareness-raising campaign on road safety and the negative impact of plastic waste. Both these campaigns were implemented nationwide, targeting schoolchildren with specially tailored information sessions and the broader public with an animated video clip that aired on the National Broadcaster and regional TV networks. Project on Water Resources Management in Georgia became one of the winners of the global competition among alumni, and together with my fellow alumna I was invited by the Swedish Institute to attend the Nobel Week Dialogue: Water Matters Conference in Stockholm in December 2018.

    Clean Up Day
    Clean Up Day

    I must note that Embassy of Sweden in Tbilisi, its staff and the Ambassador are great supporters of our alumni network. They have supported us from the very beginning and take an active part in almost every activity we implement. Moreover, alumni leaders are kindly invited to events organized by the Embassy or during official visits of members of the Swedish Government to Georgia.

    Swedish ambassador promoting road safety
    Davit (left) promoting road safety with Swedish Ambassador Ulrik Tideström (middle) and Chairman of the Board of Sweden Alumni Network Georgia, Goga Kikilashvili (right).

    This year, the biggest event coming up on the calendar will be hosting a VISBY regional alumni leaders forum. Leaders of the alumni networks in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan will visit Georgia in order to share their unique experiences, learn from each other and draw up new ideas for developing cross-regional partnership projects among our national alumni networks. We are very much excited to host this forum for the 1st time and we feel grateful to the Swedish Institute for supporting this initiative.

     

    Photos provided by Davit Mikeladze.

    2019-08-21

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    LU Alumni around the world

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    5 things you (maybe) didn’t know about Midsummer

    Swedish Midsummer
    Photo: Per Bifrost /imagebank.sweden.se

    Text: Patrik Sandgren, archivist at the Folklife Archives with the Scania Music Collections, Lund University

    1. Collect midsummer dew during the night to transfer strength

    There are old descriptions of how to “draw midsummer dew”. The dew that was collected during the night was taken, for example, from someone else’s land to transfer the strength of the other person’s animals to their own. The dew was also used for other purposes. In Tving in Blekinge, it was used as an ingredient in sourdough.

    2. Protect yourself against the evil eye by boiling, among other things, the bones of the dead and nine wishes written in stolen ink

    To protect yourself against “the evil eye” it was possible, according to an old recipe from Småland, to use seven different kinds of flowers picked on Midsummer night, boiled together with coal from an accidental fire, nine wishes written with stolen ink, tallow from Christmas church candles as well as bones of the dead.

    3. Sweden’s largest midsummer maypole is 25 metres high and weighs 400 kg

    Sweden’s largest midsummer maypole is said to be in Leksand, measuring 25 metres and weighing 400 kg. The raising of the maypole is usually witnessed by tens of thousands of people. Many are visitors from the neighbouring municipality of Rättvik, which has led to other residents of Rättvik wanting to raise an even larger midsummer maypole (than the one in Leksand).

    4. Consult with a cow or pig on what is to come

    There have evidently been early beliefs about animals being able to talk on Midsummer night. In Bäckaby in Småland, people would sneak into a suitable barn and lie down to listen to the animals, which were also clairvoyant. What the animals said was what would happen during the remainder of the year.

    5. Surprise! These days you do not need to pick your seven wild flowers to find your future spouse

    To sleep with seven different flowers under your pillow on Midsummer night is a well-known trick to finding your future spouse. This folk belief is even used in current advertising. At blomsterlandet.se there is an offer of seven different kinds of flowers considered to be associated with midsummer, daisies, flowering tobacco, dahlias, lavender, million bells flowers, twinspurs and lobelias.

    2019-06-20

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    Featured in Lundensaren Summertime

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