Sweden ranked top in committment to developing nations

According to information released yesterday by the US think tank Center for Global Development, Sweden has been listed first among nations helping to build prosperity in the developing world. Denmark was ranked second and Norway fourth.

The Committment to Development Index examines not only foreign aid from 22 of the world´s richest nations but also takes into account trade, investment, migration, security and technology.

For further information please see the website of
>Center for Global Development.

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Nov 21 2009 Tennis Masters with Stefan Edberg and Mikael Pernfors, 1 - 6 December
See Swedish former Wimbledon champion and World No 1 in action in the prestigious Aegon Masters Tennis tournament in the Royal Albert Hall. Stefan Edberg will be joined by fellow Swede Mikael Pernfors as well as a host of other international tennis legends such as Pat Rafter, Pat Cash, Goran Ivanisevic and Greg Rusedski.
Nov 20 2009 Swedish films at London Children´s Film Festival.
The festival was launched in 2005 and each year thousands of children, young people and their families have enjoyed premiers, films classics, animation classics from all over the world as well as work shops and special events. Three Swedish films are included in this years festival which runs from 21 – 29 November.
Nov 17 2009 Sweden at Nordic art and culture festival.
Sweden is represented by artists in the fields of dance, design, film, knitting and special events at the Nice Festival in Liverpool. The festival takes place between 19 November and 3 December and aims to present the best in collaborative works between the UK and the Nordic countries.
Nov 15 2009 Traditional Swedish Christmas Fair - 19/21/22 November
The fair at the Swedish Church in London is a must with its traditional Christmas decorations, advent calenders and café with Swedish delicacies - not to mention the sweets, the hotdogs and the warming spiced glögg.
Nov 12 2009 Swedish sushi master competes for top award
Michelin star chef Sayan Isaksson is competing in the Sushi Awards 2009 which brings together seven of the world´s leading sushi chefs at the BBC MasterChef live food show on 14 November.
Nov 12 2009 Fever by MIKS Dance Theatre
'With a focus on interpretation and translation, MIKS have invited four artists from different parts of Europe to challenge their creative process and share a common song track as a springboard for creation.' Fever, can be seen at the Laban Centre 11/12 November and at the Croydon Clocktower on 19 November.
Nov 9 2009 The day the wall fell…
“It was a fantastic experience. I remember the fall of the Berlin Wall very well."
Nov 5 2009 Radio Musical inspired by Ingmar Bergman.
Originally commissioned by Swedish National Radio, ‘ The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman’ could be heard on BBC 6 Music on 8 November. Written and produced by brothers Ron and Russel Mael, also known as US music duo Sparks, it is a wonderfully original musical fantasy, a ‘ what if’ story based on the internationally renowned Swedish film director.‘ The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman’ was broadcast in Sweden in August 2009 to great acclaim and is also released as Spark´s latest album.
Nov 4 2009 Final piece of the puzzle in place
'Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the Treaty. Thus the final hurdle in the way of the Treaty of Lisbon has been cleared.'
Oct 30 2009 Smart Swedish helmets.
‘Scientists at KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska Institute have developed a riding helmet modelled on how the body protects the brain on impact.'This makes it 40 percent safer than ordinary riding helmets.'
Oct 30 2009 The Sami People
Sweden is represented by the Sami at the 'The Native Spirit Festival' ( 30 October - 7 November). The festival is an annual event promoting the cultures of indigenous people.
Oct 20 2009 Rose Theatre, Kingston presents Strindberg's Miss Julie
Swedish novelist, playwright and artist August Strindberg (1849 - 1912) wrote 58 plays during his lifetime and has arguably become one of the most influential Scandinavian writers of all time.
Oct 14 2009 Swedish circus in town
'Exprience jaw-dropping acrobatics, magical storytelling and a live rock band as Cirkus Cirkör dazzles the Peacock Theatre in London with the UK premier of its new production Inside Out.'
Oct 14 2009 Swedish films at the BFI London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival (14 - 29 October) is a highly regarded and anticipated event in Europe´s film calendar. Thousands of visitors enjoy films, special events, screen talks and master classes. This year Sweden is participating with five full length films as well as a number of shorts.
Oct 12 2009 UK premiere for Swedish Play Expectations
After rave reviews in Sweden The Gothenburg English Speaking Theatre (GEST) will be bringing the play Expectations to the Contact Theatre in Manchester from 13 - 17 October.
Oct 8 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature
Herta Müller (Germany) "who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed" has been awarded the 2009 Nobel prize for Literature
Oct 7 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The 2009 Nobel Prize in Cheimstry has been shared euqally between Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas A. Steitz (USA) and Ada E Yonath (Israel) for ' studies of the structure and function of the ribosome.'
Oct 7 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics 2009 - 'The masters of light'
The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Charles K. Kao (United Kingdom and China), Willard S. Boyle (USA) and George E. Smith (USA) for ' groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibres for optical communication' and 'for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit - the CCD sensor'
Oct 2 2009 Nobel Prize Week
The Nobel Prizes will be announced from 5 - 12 October and as always the Laureates will then gather in Stockholm in the beginning of December for an intensive week of press conferences, lectures and concerts, culminating on 10 December with the award ceremony and banquet.
Sep 29 2009 Sweden among most competitive nations
Sweden is among the most competitive nations in the world as economic stability remains strong and levels of technological innovation are high according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010, which is compiled from data by the World Economic Forum.
Sep 25 2009 British nominations for Swedish Children´s Literary award
A number of well loved British authors, illutrators and reading promoters have been nominated for the 2010 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA).
Sep 22 2009 The budget for 2010: Working Sweden out of the crisis
"In the wake of the financial crisis, many people risk protracted and destructive economic and social exclusion after having lost their jobs"
Sep 22 2009 Swedish invention purifies water with sunlight.
Clean water is scarce in many parts of the world and the innovative idea of using the sun to purify water could potentially be of great use.
Sep 21 2009 Sweden´s first Marine National Park
The tiny Koster Islands off the west coast of Sweden, have long been popular with tourists and from September 1, 2009, the sea around them have become Sweden´s first marine national park.
Sep 17 2009 Swedish street dance company Bounce touring the UK
Insane in the Brain, the high energy street dance version of One Flew Over the Cuckoos´s nest returns to the UK after it´s succesful run at the Peacock Theatre in London last year.The London performances from 15 September - 3 October mark the beginning of Bounce´s first UK tour which will take the company across England, Scotland and Wales.
Sep 17 2009 In Praise of Shadows - New European Lighting Design
'Inspired by the EU directive to phase out low efficiency light bulbs by 2012 this exhibition explores the designer's response to lighting, shadow and efficiency.' The Swedish contribution to the display is the award- winning WO8 lamp, designed by Studioilse for new Swedish lighting brand Wästberg.
Sep 11 2009 Swedish Government proposes tuition fees for foreign students
'In the 2010 Budget Bill, the Government proposes that foreign students wishing to study in Sweden should pay fees.
Sep 2 2009 Swedish music prize to Peter Gabriel
The Polar Music Prize was presented to musician and composer Peter Gabriel on August 31 by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden for ‘groundbreaking, outward – looking and boundary-busting artistry’.
Aug 17 2009 Meeting Sweden at Edinburgh Book Festival
This summer eight of Sweden's finest contemporary writers will be present at Edinburgh International Book Festival - the world's largest and most dynamic literary festival.Four of them are already published in English and the other four will be introduced to the UK readers for the first time.
Aug 9 2009 Swedish Sirqus Alfon invades Edinburgh Fringe
Award winning Swedish stage act, Sirqus Alfon bring their hyped show EUROTRASH to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing from 10 - 31 August.
Aug 3 2009 Teater Fredag - Swedish youth theatre
This summer, Teater Fredag brings a Swedish sensation to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the play, Stars on the Ceiling. (7 - 31 August)
Jul 31 2009 Swedish export - music
Go anywhere in the world and sooner or later you will most likely encounter Swedish pop music - on the radio, at a nightclub or... in a film or TV.
Jul 29 2009 Swedish high rise greenhouses
Vertical greenhouses may, in a not too distant future allow city dwellers to buy ' homegrown' produce, saving both foodmiles and scarce urban land.
Jul 15 2009 Technical difficulties – Swedish passports
The issuing of Swedish passports is currently hampered by technical problems.
Jul 7 2009 Surfacing - Swedish photographers exhibit at the 12 Star Gallery in London
Photographs and video works by a group of young Swedish artists, all graduates from the Photography Department at the Royal College of Art in London until 31 July.
Jul 6 2009 New fees for Swedish passports
From the 15 of July, Swedish passports, provisional passports and national ID-cards will increase in price. The increase only applies for applications made outside Sweden.
Jul 1 2009 The start of the Swedish EU Presidency
Welcome to the Embassy web site. We are now finally there, at the start of the Swedish EU Presidency. For Sweden the Presidency will be a difficult and important task. For the Embassy it will be a challenge.
Jun 29 2009 Sweden on Stage
Join our free family festival on Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, Saturday 4 July, 2 - 9 pm.
Jun 28 2009 Ingmar Bergman - master director
As part of The Directorspective series, the Barbican is featuring a number of films by Ingmar Bergman (1918 - 2007), one of the most influential and admired figures of the world cinema and unquestionably among the best known Swedes in the world.
Jun 26 2009 Gala opening and concert
Still a few tickets left!
Jun 3 2009 New Schengen visa service offered from 15 June 2009
In order to improve its service to applicants and facilitate the visa processing, the Embassy has commissioned VFS Global Services (UK) Pvt. Ltd. to receive visa applications in London to be forwarded to the Embassy.
Jun 2 2009 Body heat keep Swedish houses warm
The Swedish town of Alingsås recently opened a 'Passive' House Centre.
Jun 2 2009 Swedish Midsummer in London.
Midsummer celebrations are held throughout Sweden - and in London - on the weekend closest to the summer solstice.
Jun 2 2009 New opening times at the passport section
From 1 June until mid August the passport section at the Embassy of Sweden is open as follows:
Jun 1 2009 Swedish soprano Agneta Eichenholz in Lulu at the Royal Opera House
Agneta Eichenholz makes her UK and Covent Garden debut this month performing the notoriously demanding title role in The Royal Opera´s new production of Lulu by Alban Berg which will run from 4 - 20 June.
Jun 1 2009 London concert by Swedish boys choir
Stockholm Cathedral Boys Choir conducted by Filip Hamber will give a lunch time concert at St. Mary le Strand on 12 June.
May 20 2009 Best in show at Chelsea Flower Show for Swedish landscape architect
Ulf Nordfjell, one of Europe´s most accomplished garden designers, has been awarded a gold medal and ‘Best in Show’ for his design of the Daily Telegraph garden.
May 20 2009 Celebrate the Swedish National Day in London
June 6 is an important day in the history of Sweden.
May 18 2009 Swedish Cathedral choir in concert: Handel and Lalande
One of Sweden´s finest choirs, Uppsala Cathedral choir, directed by Milke Falck and Lionel Sawkins and with three of Sweden´s most distinguished vocal solo performers - Susanne Rydén, Helena Ek and Leif Aruhn-Solén, will be performing works by Handel and by French Baroque composer Lalande at St John´s Smith Square on Sunday 31 May at 7.30 pm.
May 13 2009 Swedish Music Prize to Peter Gabriel
Musician and composer Peter Gabriel has been awarded the prestigious Polar Music Prize 2009 for 'his groundbreaking, outward-looking and boundary-busting artistry'.
May 11 2009 The Ghost Sonata by Swedish author August Strindberg
A staged reading of August Strindberg´s best known chamber play, The Ghost Sonata will be held at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham on Wednesday 13 May.
May 11 2009 Take me to Hollywood - Swedish cabaret
Scandimaniacs or vibrant Swedish performers Sara Lewerth and Emil Lager who trained at the International School of Theatre Jaques Lecoq in Paris have taken their cabaret act to all corners of the globe.
May 6 2009 Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation in London
Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, was in London April 27th and 28th. The minister held a speech during a seminar organized by Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Great Britain’s leading think tank on development and humanitarian issues.
May 5 2009 Election to the European Parliament
On 7 June there is an election to the European Parliament.
May 5 2009 Monsters - new Swedish play at the Arcola Theatre
Arcola Theater and Strawberry Vale Productions present the UK premiere of Monsters, a play about the killing of James Bulger.
May 5 2009 World's biggest land based wind farm to be built in Sweden
Following a decision by a local government authority to approve plans for Markbygden wind farm, Sweden could soon become the world´s biggest land-based wind farm region, subject to approval by the Swedish Government. Markbygden would boast over 1.000 turbines, cover 500 square kilometres and produce 8% of Sweden´s total power needs.
May 1 2009 A vest that senses danger - Swedish hi-tech clothing
A smart vest developed by Swedish textile reseacher Lena Berglin together with the Swedish army alerts the wearer to danger before eyes or ears have managed to record it. Lena Berglin has also developed a range of clothing to monitor health including a tank top, a cardian and a belt measuring, heartrate, muscular activity and breathing.
Apr 27 2009 Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Energy in London
On April 23, Swedish Minister Maud Olofsson came to London. During the day meetings were held with Nick Clegg, leader for the Liberal Democrats, Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform and Mike O'Brien, Minister of Energy and Climate change.
Apr 27 2009 BBC Drama Series based on Swedish crime novel wins BAFTA award
Wallander, based on the best selling books by Henning Mankell and with Kenneth Branagh in the title role has won a BAFTA award for best drama series.
Apr 23 2009 Swedish film - June
The Swedish film June will be showing at the East End Film Festival.
Apr 17 2009 Play based on novel by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren showing in London
Brothers Lionheart is a stage adaptation of the famous novel by Astrid Lindgren. The play follows the adventures of brothers Jonathan and Karl as they meet again in the mythical land of after life - Nangiyala.
Apr 17 2009 The Pirate Bay found guilty of copyright infringement
The District Court of Stockholm has today found four persons behind the website The Pirate Bay guilty of accessory to copyright infringement.
Apr 9 2009 Support for translations of Swedish literature - deadline 1 May
The Anglo-Swedish Literary Foundation, administered by the Enbassy of Sweden in London, supports translations of Swedish literature into English.
Apr 6 2009 Swedish crime novel wins Galaxy British Book Award
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo (MacLehose Press/Quercus) by the late Swedish journalist and author Stieg Larsson has been awarded Crime Thriller of the Year by Galaxy British Book Awards.
Apr 6 2009 Awardwinning Swedish film in cinemas across the UK
A horror movie with a difference and winner of numerous awards, Let the Right One In (15), will be released across the UK on 10 April.
Apr 3 2009 Swedish Minister for Justice in London
On 24 March, Swedish Minister Beatrice Ask came to London for meetings with Ministers Jack Straw, David Lammy and Phil Woolas as well as a study visit to Southwark Police Station.
Mar 30 2009 Swedish Children's Literary Award goes to the West Bank and Gaza
The Tamer Institute for Community Education has been awarded the 2009 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA). The Institute promotes reading among children and young people on the West Bank and Gaza.
Mar 30 2009 Swedish development assistance - highest in the world
According to newly released information Sweden comfortably exceeds the UN millennium goal on aid volume.
Mar 30 2009 Internships at the Embassy of Sweden in London
The Embassy is offering Swedish students the opportunity to apply for internships with the Embassy for summer/autumn 2009. More information about the internships, requirements and application procedure can be found on the Swedish language version of the website:
Mar 25 2009 Swedish Testimony on Banking Crisis
The Director-General of the Swedish National Debt Office, Mr. Bo Lundgren, testified before a US Congressional Oversight Panel in Washington DC during a public hearing on government responses to major banking crises of the 20th century.
Mar 24 2009 Swedish Minister for Financial Markets visits the UK
Mats Odell, Minister for Local Government and Financial Markets, met his British counterpart, Lord Paul Myners, in London on 23 March.
Mar 24 2009 Sweden's Minister for Trade in London
Ewa Björling, the minister for international trade, payed a visit to London on March 17th ahead of Sweden's presidency of the European Union later this year.
Mar 20 2009 Swedish online revolution
A new Swedish internet company has turned the demand for free media into a viable business model.
Mar 12 2009 Leading Swedish photographer exhibits in London
Mattias Klum is one of the world´s leading nature photographers, portraying and interpreting threatened environments, species and cultures.
Mar 12 2009 Contemporary Swedish drama in London
A sell out to young audiences in Stockholm for 2 years, Jonas Hassen Khemiri´s irreverent, funny and deeply moving play Invasion! comes to London in a new production directed by Lucy Kerbel, winner of the Young Angels Theatremakers Award.
Mar 10 2009 Sweden aims for zero net emission by 2050
Mar 9 2009 Swedish authors of children's books touring the UK
Ulf Stark and Anders Brundin are taking part in 'Reading Round the World', an innovative project, aiming to explore and celebrate books from all over the world, particularly children´s books in translation.
Mar 6 2009 Sweden's new Supreme Commander
Mar 2 2009 Stockholm Europe's Green Capital 2010
Stockholm has become the first city to be named European Green Capital by the European Commission.
Mar 2 2009 Vasaloppet Winter Week
Follow the Swedish King - the world's largest cross country ski race
Feb 24 2009 Royal Engagement
Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling have announced their engagement. The wedding will take place during the early summer of 2010.
Feb 22 2009 Measures to counter the economic turmoil
The Swedish government has adopted a series of measures to counter the financial crisis and its impact.
Feb 19 2009 Statement of Foreign Policy 2009
On March 18, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt set out the Swedish Government's priorities for the year ahead.
Feb 10 2009 Swedish Fashion in London
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria opened Swedish Fashion Exhibition in London on Thursday 5 February
Feb 9 2009 Sweden's northernmost town is relocating
Kiruna, tucked away in the arctic wilderness of Lapland is on the move.
Feb 6 2009 Britons nominated for Swedish literary award
Eight well known British authors, illustrators and promoters of reading have been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Feb 5 2009 Sweden's new energy policy
Long-term rules for the energy market and climate goals are spelled out in a new Government strategy presented on 4 February by the Swedish Government.
Jan 29 2009 Sweden to send naval vessels to Somalia
Jan 21 2009 Swedish crime fiction tops UK bestseller lists
Swedish writer Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy that was published after his death has become an international bestseller. The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo and its sequels have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Jan 20 2009 Swedish author inspires contemporary dance
The premiere of choreographer Anthony Kurt-Gabel´s work Ellipsis is held on January 24 at The Place in London.
Jan 19 2009 "Songs of Scandinavia" with Swedish mezzo soprano
The 1995 Cardiff Singer of the Year, Swedish mezzo soprano Katarina Karneús performs “Songs of Scandinavia” at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham on January 28.
Jan 15 2009 Sustainable urban living in Sweden
The southern Swedish city of Malmö welcomes bats, birds and insects as residents of its Western Harbour housing project.
Jan 14 2009 Sweden third most innovative country in the world
Jan 5 2009 Ingrid Bergman Film Season at BFI Southbank.
Films starring Hollywood Screen Legend Ingrid Bergman are shown at BFI Southbank throughout January. On the 29th, Jon Wengström, Curator of Archival Film Collections at the Swedish Film Institute in Stockholm introduces a collection of Ingrid Bergman rarities as part of the season.
Jan 4 2009 The Ingmar Bergman Archives
The life and work of the great Swedish filmmaker is now available in new publication.
Dec 8 2008 Nobel Week 2008
The Nobel celebration is a truly international event. This year´s Laureates from Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Mauritius and USA gather in Stockholm and Oslo for an intensive week of press conferences, lectures and concerts culminating on 10 December with the award ceremonies and banquets.
Nov 30 2008 Sweden's international HIV/AIDS efforts
Sweden is to step up its efforts in the international fight against HIV and AIDS. 33 million people around the world still live with HIV.
Nov 24 2008 Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty
The Swedish Riksdag voted to ratify the EU Lisbon Treaty on Thursday 20 November.
Nov 19 2008 Sweden to increase its humanitarian aid to eastern Congo
The humanitarian situation has further deteriorated in eastern Congo. Sweden is prepared to quickly provide humanitarian aid amounting to some SEK 40 million (approx GBP 3.3 million), of which 25 percent is intended for the UNHCR's work with refugees in the region.
Nov 19 2008 Sweden increases support to Afghanistan
The Swedish government has announced its decision to strengthen Sweden's military ISAF contribution and development assistance to Afghanistan.
Nov 11 2008 New online film news portal
A new Swedish digital news portal features Swedish business and industry, innovations, events, culture and travel via film clips. "The Sweden Channel" is available to TV and online journalists and bloggers around the world.
Oct 8 2008 Swedish songwriters honoured at the BMI London Awards
Five Swedish songwriters received the prestigious ”Million Air Award” at the BMI London Awards´ gala at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 7 October. The prize is given to songwriters whose songs have been played at least 3 million times on radio and TV in the USA.
Oct 1 2008 Swedish Culture at Liverpool 08
A year long list of events featuring the best in arts, sport, music, heritage and culture marks the celebration of Liverpool as European Capital of Culture 2008.
Sep 23 2008 Stockholm ranks second
In a study by Saffron Consultants in London, Stockholm ranks second out of 72 world cities in terms of brand value utility ("brand utilisation") and seventh when choosing the strongest city brands.
Sep 15 2008 World Wide Nominees for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2009
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, ALMA, was instigated by the Swedish government in 2002 in honour of Astrid Lindgren.

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