It was inaugurated, on the 3rd of October 2000 by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Egypt, Ms Anna Lindh, and Mr Amre Moussa. It is housed in a building on the Corniche in the Eastern Port, which was established in 1922 and since 1925 has served as the Swedish Consulate and later also as a Seamen's institute. As part of the establishment of the Institute the building has undergone a comprehensive renovation.

The Swedish Institute Alexandria (SwedAlex) is an autonomous part of Sweden's Foreign Service, with a Board appointed by the Swedish government. The members of the Board have a background in Foreign Service, development co-operation, cultural exchange and research, and are representing Swedish government as well as non-governmental organizations.

The institute's main goal is to promote dialogue between Europe and the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) in order to make Europeans and people in the region to better understand each other. SwedAlex promotes sustainable political, economic and social development in the MENA region. It brings together people for dialogue in a wide range of topics. SwedAlex organizes seminars, conferences and workshops, giving participants of different strata an opportunity to meet.

Thinkers, philosophers, religious leaders, researchers, politicians, students, journalists and other experts meet at SwedAlex. Difference of opinions is considered an advantage but the discussions should be based on respect of the other and their views.

SwedAlex's Mandate

Within the framework of the overall goals of Sweden's international development co-operation the Swedish Institute Alexandria has the following tasks:

• to contribute to the European-Mediterranean partnership and to serve as a forum for the dialogue between the countries of Europe and the countries of the MENA
• to address issues of importance to the political, social, economic, and scientific development in the MENA region
• to contribute to increased mutual understanding in the areas of culture and religion
• to further broaden contacts between Sweden and other countries in Europe and Egypt and other countries in the MENA region

Vision:
SwedAlex's vision is a peaceful world where democracy and respect for human rights prevail and that people in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa should understand each other's differences and values.

Working hours:
Sunday to Wednesday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.