Stockholm Internet Forum kicks off on 22 May
On 22 - 23 May, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is holding the Stockholm Internet Forum on Internet Freedom for Global Development - SIF13 - together with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Internet Infrastructure Foundation (.SE). Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will host the conference. This year, over 400 participants from more than 90 countries will be coming to SIF to discuss how internet freedom and openness can have a positive impact on human rights and development in the world.
The Brazilian ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Ms Leda Lúcia Martins Camargo, honoured the "Ministry for Foreign Affairs' Soccer World Cup 2013" as a surprise guest to greet the winners.
On 14 May, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs held an internal soccer tournament at Östermalm's sport centre. 16 different departments participated in the tournament, which formed part of the Ministry's initiative for staff welfare and wellness. The Protocol Department won the tournament after a penalty shoot-out in the final against the Security Policy Department.
Sweden is a candidate for the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2013-2017
In keeping with a long tradition, this is a joint candidacy of the Nordic Member States - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - and Associate Member the Faroe Islands.
The Government of Sweden presents its candidature for a seat on the Executive Board for the period 2013-2017.
The candidature reflects the engagement of the Swedish Government to participate actively in the process of reforms that the Organisation is carrying out to concentrate its functions and initiatives for better responding to the needs of the Member States and the global challenges.
ABBA The Museum opens in Stockholm
The world's first museum dedicated to Sweden's iconic disco group ABBA opens in Stockholm today, 7 May, offering visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the 1970s foursome with help from modern technology.
ABBA The Museum is a permanent exhibition in the brand new 'Swedish Music Hall of Fame' on the island of Djurgården, a short walk, bus or tram ride from the city centre. The museum sits between Gröna Lund amusement park and the Liljevalchs art venue and is a five-minute walk from Skansen Open-air Museum and the famous Vasa Museum.
The origins of ABBA The Museum are in the ABBAWORLD touring exhibition that toured Budapest London, Prague, Melbourne and Sydney between 2009 and 2011. It shares the premises with the Swedish Music Hall of Fame and History of Swedish Popular Music.
ABBA The Museum will showcase the band's stage clothes, artifacts, concert footage, interviews etc. in a contemporary, interactive setting. When you buy a ticket you get an ID that enables special features on the museum website. Once inside the museum you can sing and dance with holograms of ABBA, make a digital costume (go for the famous Anni-Frid 'tiger' or Agnetha 'cat' tunic) projected on to you in a special booth and you can record it by scanning your ticket at the attraction.
You can buy tickets to the museum online, at SJ outlets near the Central Station in Stockholm or at the museum.
Public Holiday on 9 May
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic Corps about the upcoming public holiday the Feast of the Ascension (Sw. "Kristi himmelfärds dag"). The Government Offices and other public institutions will therefore be closed on 9 May.
Study trip to the County of Gävleborg
The Protocol Department of the MFA continues to organize trips to different parts of Sweden in order to facilitate for foreign diplomats in Stockholm to get to know regions beyond the capital. On the 23rd of April, some 30 representatives from large and small countries in all parts of the world participated in a study trip to the County of Gävleborg at the invitation of Governor Barbro Holmberg.
Public Holiday on 1 May
The Protocol Department wishes to inform the Diplomatic Corps about an upcoming public holiday next week. The Government Offices and other public institutions will be closed on 1 May. Walpurgis Night (Sw. "valborgsmässoafton") on 30 April is a shortened workday and you might therefore find that your usual interlocutors are not available.
Winner of Stora Exportpriset 2013
On April 9, Stora Exportpriset was awarded for the ninth consecutive year to a Swedish company that in recent years has achieved exceptional export success. The company Envirotainer won Stora Exportpriset 2013 owing to strong growth in exports in several markets and positive contributions to employment in its Swedish operations. The price ceremony was held in City Hall of Stockholm and Envirotainer's CEO Gustaf Ljunggren received the award from King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The Notification Unit will not be taking calls on Thursday and Friday
The Protocol Department would like to inform the Diplomatic Corps that the phone service (08-405 58 52) of the Notification Unit, which administrates residence permits and identity cards, will be closed on Thursday 25 April and Friday 26 April.
Updated policy concerning mobile communication devices for external guests visiting Ministers or State Secretaries
The Protocol Department would like to inform the Diplomatic Corps that the Security Department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has updated its policy concerning mobile communication devices for all external guests visiting Ministers or State Secretaries.
According to the updated policy, external guests are not permitted to bring mobile communication devices (e.g. laptops, tablet computers, cellular phones) to the Ministers' or State Secretaries' respective offices. Guests shall deposit such devices in assigned lockers at the entrance of the Hereditary Prince's Palace (Sw. "Arvfurstens palats").
It should also be mentioned that it is the responsibility of the MFA employee receiving the guests to ensure that said devices are deposited before the visit and picked-up thereafter.
