Past events

Date: April 8, 2025

Time: 11.00 (CET)

Venue: Digital

 

Join us for SCI’s  “European Leaders Talk”.  A new series of webinars featuring top business leaders discussing key economic, leadership and geopolitical trends.

Our first guest, Fredrik Persson, President of Business Europe, will share his visions on the future of Europe’s competitiveness, insights on BusinessEurope’s key priorities and initiatives, and, of course, his view on the impact of the U.S. new administration on European businesses and industries.

Previously, Fredrik was President of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (2017–2022), and currently chairs Ellevio AB, JM AB, and ICC Sweden, while serving on boards such as Holmen and ICA Group. He has extensive experience from Axel Johnson Group, ABB Financial Services, and Aros Securities.

 

The talk will be moderated by Daniella Waldfogel, President, Swedish Chambers International and CEO, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, with expertise in public affairs and policy advocacy from roles at JKL, the European Parliament, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

 

Registration link: https://my.weezevent.com/european-leaders-talk-fredrik-persson

The link to the webinar will be sent one day before the event.

 

About SCI

SCI is an umbrella organisation for Swedish Chambers of Commerce abroad. We are a platform dedicated to promoting Swedish chambers of commerce internationally and connecting businesses from all over the world—putting the world at your fingertips. SCI consists of over 30 Swedish Chambers worldwide, spanning hundreds of companies across five continents.

 

   

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We See the World Differently, and Therefore We See More of It Together

On March 26, 2025, we hosted a thought-provoking morning on neuro-inclusion in the workplace. The session sparked meaningful discussions and offered invaluable insights into how we can cultivate a more inclusive work environment. Our sincere thanks to Yves for moderating with such expertise, to Ellis-Jan van den Hout for generously hosting the event, and to Liesbeth van Overhagen for her flawless organisation.

A special thank you to Tristan Lavender for his insightful keynote, which not only educated but also empowered the audience, providing us with actionable tools to unlock the potential in every individual. Your words left us all inspired, with new perspectives on leading with vulnerability.

We also extend our gratitude to everyone who attended, particularly those who shared their personal stories, contributing to the warm and open atmosphere of the event. We are proud of our network, where such meaningful connections thrive.

Here are four key takeaways on neuro-inclusive leadership shared by Tristian during our session:

 1. Look beyond the label
I use this phrase a lot because there’s so much heterogeneity in autism, ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence that we risk perpetuating stereotypes by suggesting there are one-size-fits-all solutions. The point isn’t to hand leaders a cookie-cutter approach. It’s about cultivating curiosity and understanding the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of each individual. To be clear, that doesn’t mean diminishing the value of diagnoses. It means seeing the person in front of you for who they are in all their uniqueness.

2. Ask, don’t assume
Understanding starts with asking questions instead of making assumptions based on labels. One autistic person may prefer working in a dimly lit corner to avoid sensory overwhelm, while another might prefer natural daylight. One dyslexic person may process information better visually, while another might benefit from text-to-speech technology. No two brains are the same. The key is to ask and listen, not to assume.

3. Offer options
Team members have different ways of contributing to discussions. Some are comfortable speaking up on the spot, while others express themselves more easily in writing – when they don’t feel social pressure. For example, before and after a brainstorm session, you could give people the opportunity to share ideas in writing – rather than expecting everyone to speak up during the meeting (or worse, telling quiet colleagues they should ‘be more visible’).

4. Lead with vulnerability
A wonderful thing happened during our session: when one neurodivergent participant shared their personal story, others followed. That’s the beauty of leading with vulnerability: it doesn’t require a formal leadership role. Anyone can take that first step. But when leaders actively demonstrate vulnerability, their words carry extra weight, granting others the psychological permission to do the same.

 

 

Keynote Speaker: Tristan Lavender
Founder & Chair of the Philips Neurodiversity Network

 

Tristan Lavender is the founder and chair of the Philips Neurodiversity Network, a global Employee Resource Group (ERG) with over 1,100 members that aims to raise awareness and foster understanding of neurodiversity at Philips. The ERG is open to everyone at Philips, promoting inclusion and belonging for all. Tristan has a background in psychology and two decades of experience working in professional communications.

 

 

Hosted by

 

 

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“Mastering Leadership for the Future – Kick-off”

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming this year’s ten mentorship pairs as they embarked on their journey of growth, guidance, and connection.

The evening began with an inspiring introduction by Mentorship Coach Hendrik Jan Guitink, followed by interactive breakout sessions led by former mentee Dmytro Shytikov. Here, mentees and mentors mapped out their goals and expectations before the highly anticipated mentor-mentee reveal. With the first one-on-one conversations underway, the program is officially in motion.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to open our mentorship keynote lectures to our mentorship alumni. These sessions offer exclusive insights from expert speakers:

  • April 24 – Sustainable Leadership with Gabriele Hamm Adler
  • May 15 – Personal and Professional Branding (speaker to be announced)
  • September 18 – Mindfulness and Work-Life Balance with Cole Groom

 

About the Swedish Chamber Mentorship Programme
The Mentorship Program was launched in October 2012. Since then, more than 100 Young Professionals of the Swedish Chamber have followed the program and benefited from their future personal and professional growth. The many Mentors have benefited from meeting the new generation leaders of the future and learning more about their insights and values. The Mentorship Program is made possible by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with AIMS International Netherlands B.V., a member of AIMS International. Read more here

 

 

 

 

This event is only open for participants in the Mentorship Program 2025

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Date: March 6, 2025
Time: 12.00 – 14.00 (guests are welcome from 11.30)
Venue: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, 1012 EX Amsterdam

 

‘’The French Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands is pleased to invite the Members of the Swedish Chamber to the 18th edition of its (Wo)men’s Day Lunch.

 

Keynote Speaker: Angela Maas – Cardiologist & Women’s Heart Health Pioneer

Angela Maas, MD, PhD, has been a clinical cardiologist for more than 35 years and has developed a main interest in heart disease in women over the past decades.
She established the first outpatient clinic for women in the Netherlands in 2003 and was appointed as a professor in Cardiology for women at the Radboud University, Nijmegen in 2012.

Throughout her career, she has received many awards, such as from the Dutch Society of Female Physicians (2010), the Radboud University (2014), and was knighted by the King in 2017.

She has been one of the most influential female doctors in Dutch healthcare and was the 2020/21 Women’s representative of the Dutch Government to the United Nations.

In 2014, Angela Maas founded Hart voor Vrouwen, a foundation dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary research on cardiovascular diseases in women. This mission is of paramount importance, as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Through innovative research, the foundation aims to enhance care and outcomes for women globally.

 

Member Fee

Thanks to generous collaboration with the French Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, Swedish Chamber members are offered an exclusive member price.

Members €95
Non-members €115
Cancellation before February 20: 100% refunded
Cancellation after February 20: no refund possible

 

Registration

Register for the event by emailing n.abraini@cfci.nl at the French Chamber. Kindly mention “Swedish Chamber” as your company affiliation in the email. You will receive your invoice and confirmation directly from the French Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

 

This event is a collaboration between

 

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On February 13, the Swedish Chamber in the Netherlands, in collaboration with BDO, Eversheds Sutherland, Söderberg & Partners, and the Dutch Chamber in Sweden, hosted an informative session for companies with subsidiaries in Sweden. The event provided essential insights into company registration, taxation, employment, and pensions.

Key Takeaways from Our Experts

BDO – Erik Hedlund & Fredrik Nilsson
BDO guided attendees through the Swedish company registration process, explaining the differences between subsidiaries, branches, and cases where no registration is required. The session covered permanent vs. non-permanent establishment and featured an interactive discussion with insightful comparisons between Swedish and Dutch registrations.

Eversheds Sutherland – Torbjörn Lindmark
Eversheds Sutherland provided an overview of the Swedish labour market, offering key insights into what companies should consider when employing staff in Sweden.

Söderberg & Partners – Karolina Conrad
With 13 consecutive years of Sweden’s happiest customers, Söderberg & Partners shared their expertise on the Northern European approach to employee benefits and pensions. The session also covered the Swedish pension system and how to avoid excessive taxation.

Supporting Companies Expanding into Sweden

The event addressed crucial topics, including subsidiary and branch registration, tax registration, employment, payroll, insurance, benefits, and pension systems. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, gaining valuable knowledge to support their business operations in Sweden.

A sincere thank you to our expert speakers and all participants for making this session insightful and engaging.

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On January 16, 2025, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the Netherlands was very pleased to welcome our members and relations to the traditional New Year’s reception hosted by H.E. Ambassador of Sweden Mr, Johannes Oljelund, at his beautiful residences in the Hague.

The New Year’s Reception is one of the Chambers’ wonderful traditions, offering a fantastic start to the upcoming Chamber year and the opportunity to meet great fellow members and relations in a fantastic ambience. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the New Year’s Reception and for making it to a warm event fostering friendship and fellowship.

A special thank you to H.E. Ambassador Johannes Oljelund and Mrs Hanna Oljelund for hosting the New Year’s reception and for your warm hospitality and support.

 

 

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A Heartfelt Thank You for an Unforgettable Lucia Dinner!

On December 6, 2024, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce had the pleasure of hosting its Exclusive Annual Lucia Dinner at the Hotel Hilton in Amsterdam. The night was filled with festive spirit and Swedish traditions, and we celebrated the long-lasting friendship between Sweden and the Netherlands.

The night began with a luxurious three-course seasonal dinner by Executive Chef Franz Conde and his talented culinary team that set the tone for an evening to remember. Guests enjoyed an enchanting Lucia procession, performed by the Svenska Högtidskören, bringing the warmth of Swedish holiday magic to the room.

 

A special highlight of the evening was a spectacular tribute to ABBA’s 50 Years of Music, performed by the talented Kim-Lian van der Meij. The celebration continued with live music by Anne-Lie Persson and her band, Stockholm Tivoli, which kept guests dancing into the night.

 

Another unforgettable moment was the Swedish Chamber Business Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated the outstanding achievements of:

Volvo Cars Netherlands – Achievement Award 2024
SKF – Tech for Good Award 2024
Younium – Entrepreneurship Award 2024

The evening also featured an exhilarating Charity Raffle, which successfully raised €2,070 to benefit the organization’s mission of creating better play spaces for children.

Guided by our brilliant Master of Ceremony, Rebecca van Dorrestein, the event was a joyful reflection on the achievements of the past year and a wonderful way to connect and celebrate with our community.

Thank You:
To everyone who attended, performed, sponsored, and supported this special evening—thank you for making it a night to remember. Your presence and contributions are what make our community so extraordinary.

 

 

 

Find all photos and recap in our exclusive Lucia Album, and be sure to credit Hanne Hansen Photography.

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Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Sustainability & Innovation Summit – “AI Driving the Sustainable Transformation” on December 6, 2024!

 

 

We are grateful for the insightful discussions and shared visions on how AI can drive meaningful change in the pursuit of sustainability. Below are some of the key highlights from the event:

• AI development is progressing rapidly, and its impact will only continue to grow.

• AI is a tool, and its application depends on how we—people—choose to use it.

• AI has tremendous potential to accelerate the green transition, from optimizing resources like water, air, wetlands, and soil, to ensuring food security, enhancing transportation systems, and supporting global well-being.

 

• The Municipality of Skellefteå in Northern Sweden serves as an inspiring example of how a human-centric approach, combined with AI, can shape sustainable communities.

• AI-driven startups focused on positive impact at scale are yet to emerge, and a new definition of success is needed to support them through financing, talent attraction, and ecosystem development.

• Many companies are already exploring how AI can foster innovation, optimize operations, and support sustainable practices, including Net Zero strategies and circularity.

• From a research perspective, AI offers limitless possibilities, already contributing to the preservation of wetlands and the restoration of natural habitat

• Data centers, often seen as energy-intensive, can play a crucial role in energy infrastructure optimization if integrated properly

.• AI is here to stay, and it is essential that we ensure its benefits are shared broadly, creating real impact rather than driving sustainable consumption.

• When used well, AI can be a powerful partner in building a sustainable and thriving planet.

 

 

A Special Thanks to Our Exceptional Speakers:

  • Dr. Cara Antoine, Executive VP,
  • Karin Degerfeldt, Sustainability Strategist, Skellefteå Municipality, Sweden
  • Maarten Cleeren, Managing Director, TechLeap
  • Funda Sezgi, CEO, Norrsken
  • Hanifeh Khayyeri, Vice President, RISE Research Institute
  • Fatih Noyan, Country Manager & Managing Director, Ericsson
  • Pim Roest, Partner & Co-Owner, AllChiefs
  • Linus Wretblad, CEO & Founder, IPscreener
  • Ellis Jan van den Hout, Managing Director, SKF in the Netherlands

The programme was expertly moderated by Andrea Orsag, Sustainability Strategy Expert and Founder of MissionC, whose skilful guidance enriched the day’s discussions.

The Swedish Chamber of Commerce thanks all attendees, speakers, and sponsors for their dedication to this vital dialogue.

We look forward to continuing these important conversations and driving meaningful progress together!

 

Please ensure that all images are credited to Hanne Hansen Photography whenever used.

Mark your calendar for the Sustainability & Innovation Summit 2025, December 4!

Keynote Speaker

SPEAKERS LIST

 

 

 

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Patrons