How can Sweden make its schools less segregated?
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second part of our interview with Emma Leijnse, schools reporter for the Sydsvenkan newspaper and the author of several books on the Swedish school system. After last week’s episode, Richard had some thoughts about what international studies say about schools:OPINION: Why I hope the stats are right about Swedish children’s reading and maths Other topics we discuss in this episode include: School segregation What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed?PIRLS studySwedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools openPISA studyWhat do the Pisa rankings really tell us about Swedish schools?Boys & girlsOpinion: Why Sweden should care about boys falling behind in school__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 Mai 202340min
Summer getaways, lower food prices, and Swedish schools explained
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton, and we also welcome a guest to the Malmö studio: Emma Leijnse is a journalist covering schools and education for the Sydsvenskan newspaper and is also the author of three books on the Swedish school system. In this week’s episode we discuss: Weekend getaway tips Readers reveal: Top tips for things to do in Sweden this summerSix great spots in Sweden for a springtime getawayNew work permit units EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans for a new work permit system for high-skilled labourInflation, interest rates and food prices Swedish food prices drop as inflation beats expectationsEXPLAINED: How could Sweden’s latest inflation news affect your finances?Sweden's school system Swedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools openSchooling: What you need to know when moving to Sweden with childrenWhat schools do foreigners in Sweden send their children to and are they happy?__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 Mai 202333min
Is democracy really under threat in Sweden?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton.In this week’s episode we discuss: Eurovision fever‘Almost goddess status’: Sweden’s Loreen tipped to win EurovisionRail strikeSwedish rail strike postponed but Stockholm trains still affectedJimmie ÅkessonSweden’s government has its ‘here’s Jimmie!’ momentSweden Democrats leader says ‘fundamentalist Muslims’ cannot be SwedesScandinavian languagesWhy don’t Scandinavians try harder to understand each other?How to turn the one Scandinavian language you are learning into threeDemocracyIs this government really a threat to democracy?__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12 Mai 202336min
Interview with Swedish Migration Agency boss, Part 2
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for Part 2 of our interview with Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.Topics covered include:Fast-track phase-outSwedish Migration Agency to propose new system for skilled migrants Study or work?Swedish government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abusesPermanent residency?Boss of Sweden’s Migration Agency: ‘I’d be worried if I had permanent residency’‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration Minister2015 crisisHow Sweden handled the refugee crisis: reportRefugees from UkraineEXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden?__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 Mai 202329min
Interview with Swedish Migration Agency boss, Part 1
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.This is part one of a two-part interview. Some of the topics we cover include:What’s the current status of Sweden’s planned migration laws? Salary threshold latestEXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans to double the salary threshold for work permitsMoving migration reception centres outside the EUSwedish PM Kristersson positive on Danish offshore asylum planWaiting timesSwedish Migration Agency rebuked for ‘unacceptable’ processing timesEight ways Sweden’s Migration Agency could cut the wait for work permitsBrexitIN FIGURES: How many Brits in Sweden have had their post-Brexit residence status rejected?Exit visas for applicants awaiting extensionsSweden ‘will consider’ travel visas for work permit holders: migration minister interview‘Sweden is like a big prison’: The tech workers trapped by work permit delays__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 Mai 202339min
INTERVIEW: Why is Sweden scared to talk about racism? Part 2
Tune in for the second part of our interview with Lola Akinmade Åkerström where she talks more about how Sweden can get better at dealing with racism, how frequently she’s confronted with micro-aggressions, the ideas of integration versus assimilation, a tendency in Europe to fetishize and limit black women, what happens when the Swedish concept of lagom is applied collectively, the prospect of her novel In Every Mirror She’s Black making it to the screen, and what’s next for her characters in the upcoming sequel. Don't miss:SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity''Stop! This is what lagom truly means'Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failingCNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for SwedenPrevious episodes: LISTEN: Racism in Sweden, and how welcome do foreigners feel after the election?LISTEN: Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it?__Become a member of The Local Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 Mai 202333min
Why is Sweden scared to talk about racism?
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, author and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström.This week's topics: Culture shockThese are the worst culture shocks for foreigners coming to SwedenValborg & May 1stWhat exactly is Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?Why is May 1st a public holiday in Sweden?Sweden Democrats and the EU migration pact Sweden Democrats threaten to topple governmentAsylum seeker child raises millions for charity'Like winning the lottery'Racism in SwedenFinally, Lola Akinmade Åkerström tells us about In Every Mirror She's Black, her novel that tackles racism in Sweden and which Swedish publishers have rejected despite its success overseas. SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity''Stop! This is what lagom truly means'Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failingCNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for Sweden Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 Apr 202338min
INTERVIEW: Is Spotify ready for the Swedish model?
For our second bonus episode this week’s we’re going to listen to the familiar voice of our Nordic editor Richard Orange and his recent interview with Henry Catalini Smith, chairman of the Unionen trade union club at Spotify. The interview was recorded on the 14th of April, a couple of days after Unionen submitted its request to start negotiations with Spotify over the introduction of a collective bargaining agreement. We’ll hear why Henry Catalini Smith wanted to start a union club, how he tailored the message for Spotify’s many immigrant workers, how layoff announcements have affected the company, how management reacted to his union efforts, and much more. Last week, after this interview was recorded, Spotify pushed back against the drive to unionize by distributing leaflets to employees arguing against the need for a collective bargaining agreement. Read more about Spotify’s counter-arguments and other perspectives on the unionization process via the links below.Would foreign tech workers in Sweden gain or lose from a union deal?Swedish word of the day: KollektivavtalINTERVIEW: ‘Spotify need to realise they’re a bigger player and should act like one’And don’t miss our two-part interview with Sen Kanner, union club chairperson at Klarna, which you can find in the two previous episodes._Become a member of The LocalShare your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 Apr 202327min
