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What’s in a number? Why plenty, if you ask us! 2023 truly is a jubilee year for Sweden, as the country boasts 500 years worthy of a celebration. It’s a year with more than one Swedish milestone, featuring everything from royals and opera to rollercoasters and the Nobel Prize Banquet. But at the heart of it all is independence and democracy. Intrigued? Then hop along as we take you through the numbers. Sweden's Independence So, you’ve done your math and have rewound to 1523. What exactly happened then? That year, on 6 June to be exact, Gustav Vasa was elected King of Sweden. With Gustav Vasa elected, Sweden left the so-called Kalmar Union with Denmark and Norway, and once again became independent. The historic place where Gustav Vasa was elected? Strängnäs, 59 kilometres west of Stockholm. Under King Gustav Vasa, the Protestant Reformation was introduced and the church was nationalised. During King Gustav Vasa’s reign, Sweden would also lay the foundations of the strong central governance it would develop over centuries to come. 2023 also marks 50 years on the throne for King Carl XVI Gustaf, Sweden’s current monarch. As head of state, King Carl XVI Gustaf is the country’s foremost unifying symbol. According to the constitution, he has no political affinity or formal powers, and his duties are mainly of a ceremonial and representative nature. He became King of Sweden on 15 September 1973, following the death of King Gustaf VI Adolf. Fast-forward to today, and King Carl XVI Gustaf can boast the title as the longest reigning monarch in Swedish history, with more than 80 state visitsabroad. All set to follow in his footsteps is Crown Princess Victoria. In 1980, the Succession Act was made gender-neutral, which turned Princess Victoria – the oldest of Carl Gustaf’s three children – into Crown Princess Victoria. As a celebration of his 50 years on the throne, King Carl XVI Gustaf is paying visit to all 21 of Sweden’s regions during the course of the year, together with Queen Silvia. Hosted by the respective governors, these visits are an opportunity to meet with the people. Click to read more. PHOTO: THRON ULLBERG/KUNGL HOVSTATERNA

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee delivers support to the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Diversity and Inclusion Program including Female Leadership Empowerment. “The D&I Committee is aiming to give support and advice to the Chambers D&I strategy including organizing events to discuss new perspectives and to increase knowledge and experience exchange.  We aim to inspire business leaders from all sectors with an ambition to develop successful  D&I strategies within their organizations.” - Carola Hoekstra, CEO Stromma Netherlands, Chairwoman Swedish Chamber D&I Committee Committee Members:

• Carola Hoekstra, Chairwoman of the Committee, CEO, Stromma
• Bernie van Leeuwen, Managing Director, SKF Netherlands B.V.
• Siroe Burleson, Partnership Manager, Storytel  NL B.V.
• Kerstin Gerlagh, General Manager, Swedish Chamber of Commerce

For information about the Committees, click .