Seminar

Big Picture 2024 – Engelsberg Ironworks

Start / Seminars / Big Picture 2024 – Engelsberg Ironworks

At this year’s Big Picture seminar at Engelsberg Ironworks, experts gathered to discuss the global situation. Focus was on Russia’s ongoing aggressive war against Ukraine and the significant losses suffered by both sides. Western support for Ukraine has not yet been sufficient to solve the conflict. Discussions also covered the EU countries’ potential to mobilise greater support from their populations.

Russia’s threatening stance towards its neighbours and the increasing tensions within NATO, particularly with Finland’s and Sweden’s new memberships, were also central topics. The unresolved conflict between Israel and Hamas remains a concern, and China’s growing pressure on Taiwan was noted as a significant worry. The upcoming US elections contributed to a general sense of political uncertainty.

Domestically, the consequences of the extensive support packages during the financial and COVID-19 crises were discussed, along with the need for reforms in higher education and research. The EU Parliament election in Sweden showed no major changes, but there was speculation about future political alliances ahead of the next national election. Overall, the discussions were marked by uncertainty and complexity, both internationally and nationally.

Participants

Katarina Barrling

Associate Professor of Political Science, Uppsala University

Pär Cassel

Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Michigan

Magnus Henrekson

Professor, former CEO of the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN)

Johan Ingerö

USA Expert, former Secretary General of the Christian Democrats

Fredrik Löjdquist

Ambassador, Director of the Center for Eastern European Studies, UI

Mats Persson

Minister of Education, Ph.D. in Economic History

Charly Salonius-Pasternak

Leading Researcher, Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Helsinki

Peter Santesson

Ph.D. in Political Science, CEO of Infostat

Nathan Shachar

Journalist and Author

Nina Solomin

Cultural Editor at Fokus and Incoming Editor-in-Chief of Axess Magazine, Axess Publishing