Mathias Knutsson

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic school shooting in Örebro today. No student, teacher, or family should ever have to endure such a horrific event. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones, and my thoughts are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. At a time like this, it is more important than ever that we come together in support, compassion, and unity. Jag är djupt chockad och bedrövad över den tragiska skolskjutningen i Örebro idag. Ingen elev, lärare eller familj ska någonsin behöva uppleva en sådan fruktansvärd händelse. Mina djupaste kondoleanser går till familjerna och vännerna som har förlorat sina nära och kära, och mina tankar är hos alla som drabbats av denna meningslösa våldshandling. I en tid som denna är det viktigare än någonsin att vi sluter oss samman i stöd, medkänsla och enighet. Mathias Knutsson

Swedish Aged 50+ among the best in the world – but still marginalized Swedes over 50 years of age rank among the best globally in education and lifelong learning. According to OECD’s adult skills survey ( Piaac ), Sweden ranks third worldwide, and for the 55+ age group, Sweden leads the pack . These individuals thrive in environments that value lifelong learning and skill-based workplaces. Yet, despite this, older workers face significant challenges in the labor market, with age discrimination on the rise. A labor market that excludes experience In Sweden, the likelihood of being called for a job interview decreases as early as age 40. Research from Linnaeus University shows that older job seekers receive fewer responses to applications, with almost no callbacks for those over 60. This trend starkly contrasts with countries like Denmark, where older workers are twice as likely to land jobs. Globally, Sweden is among the nations with the least respect for older people. A tale of t...

Svenskar 50+ i världstopp – men ändå bortvalda Svenskar över 50 år presterar i världsklass när det gäller kunskap och utbildning. Enligt OECD:s vuxenstudie, Piaac , rankas S verige som tredje bäst i världen – och för åldersgruppen 55+ är Sverige till och med bäst. Dessa individer utmärker sig genom livslångt lärande och en stark kompetensorientering på arbetsplatser. Trots detta möter erfarna arbetstagare stora hinder på arbetsmarknaden, där åldersdiskriminering är ett stort och växande problem. En arbetsmarknad som exkluderar erfarenhet I Sverige börjar chansen att bli kallad till anställningsintervju sjunka redan i 40-årsåldern. Enligt forskning från Linnéuniversitetet blir sannolikheten att få svar på en ansökan allt mindre med stigande ålder , och för arbetssökande över 60 år är det nästan obefintligt. Detta står i skarp kontrast till exempelvis Danmark, där äldre har dubbelt så stor chans att få jobb. Sverige utmärker sig negativt som ett av de länder i världen där respekten för ...

- How do we confront this rising tide of hatred? Today, January 27, marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to honour the six million Jews and millions of other innocent victims murdered during the Holocaust. It is also a day to reaffirm our collective responsibility to confront antisemitism, racism, and hatred in all its forms—a responsibility that feels more urgent than ever. In today’s Svenska Dagbladet , a deeply moving column reminds us of the long shadow cast by the Holocaust and its devastating, enduring impact on families. Stories of survival, loss, and resilience illustrate the stark reality of how hatred eroded the vibrant Jewish communities of Central Europe. These stories also serve as a mirror to the challenges we face today, 80 years after Auschwitz was liberated. What should deeply concern us all is the rise of antisemitism in Sweden and across Europe. The statistics are alarming: antisemitic hate crimes in Sweden have surged by 450 per cent in the wake ...

Yesterday marked exactly thirty years since the historic 1994 referendum when Swedes made the monumental choice to join the European Union. Three decades ago, we voted to step out of isolation and into a new era of cooperation and shared responsibility. Those of us who supported membership saw it as a leap forward—an opportunity to help shape Europe’s future alongside our neighbors. But even now, after three decades, a certain reluctance remains among many Swedes to fully embrace a European identity or to take an active, progressive role within the EU. The Reluctance to Identify as European  Sweden’s hesitation towards EU involvement stems from several complex historical and cultural factors. As a country with a long-standing tradition of neutrality, Swedes have often viewed themselves as outsiders in European politics. Our neutrality was a point of pride, a statement of independence that preserved our voice and identity on the world stage. But this mindset can also lead to a sense...

So incredibly proud to announce that my daughter Emma has graduated from high school as the valedictorian of her class! She has been a straight A student throughout her studies and has been awarded a scholarship for her outstanding academic achievements. Emma, your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. A special shoutout to her amazing stepmother, Diana, who has been the perfect mother figure and an incredible support system for Emma. I would also like to thank my parents in law, Elisabeth and Christer, for always being there for me, Diana and the children. We are all so thrilled to see what the future holds for you, Emma. Here’s to the beginning of an amazing journey ahead! #ProudParent #TopOfHerClass #FutureIsBright #amazingstepmom Mathias Knutsson

"Show me a person who has never failed, and I will show you a failure of a person. What we learn from failure, and what we do with that knowledge, is what matters –– and it's what makes us who we are." Mike Bloomberg, May 2019 This statement is a profound reminder that the essence of personal growth and success lies not in the absence of failure, but in our response to it. In a society that often glorifies success and shuns failure, it’s crucial to recognize that the two are not mutually exclusive. Instead, failure is a necessary precursor to success, offering invaluable lessons that shape our character and abilities. Failure, often perceived as a setback, is actually a powerful teacher. It strips away pretense and exposes our vulnerabilities, revealing areas that need improvement. This process is not just beneficial but essential for growth. When we fail, we are given the opportunity to reflect, analyze, and adapt. These moments of introspection foster resilience, innova...

  Via Global Best Practice Group: "In the end, the upcoming election is not just about choosing representatives—it’s about shaping the destiny of a continent. It’s about reaffirming our commitment to a vision of Europe that transcends borders and embraces diversity. " Mathias Knutsson https://globalbestpracticegroup.com/navigating-the-crossroads/

In a world increasingly defined by social and environmental challenges, investors are seeking ways to align their financial goals with broader societal and environmental objectives. This has led to the rise of two interconnected investment paradigms: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing and Impact investing.  Let's delve into what these terms mean, their significance, and how they're shaping the future of finance. Understanding ESG Investing... ESG investing evaluates a company's performance and potential based on its environmental, social, and governance factors. Here's a breakdown of each element: Environmental Factors: This encompasses a company's impact on the environment, including its carbon footprint, energy efficiency, waste management practices, and resource usage. Investors assess how well a company manages its environmental risks and its efforts towards sustainability. Social Factors: Social considerations examine a company's relati...

I am so proud of my wife  Diana Knutsson  and her accomplishments. It is hard to imagine a better role model for everyone on International Women's Day.  Diana is the most amazing and wonderful person I have ever met. She is a superstar who manages to combine power, commitment and brilliance with so much warmth, care and love. Mathias Knutsson (Yes, I am reposting... Unfortunately, the world needs to be reminded of International Women's Day) #power   #internationalwomensday    #equality Northvolt Qstar International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Link to article (in Swedish):  https://nt.se/nyheter/norrkoping/artikel/diana-har-aldrig-sett-hindren-det-gav-henne-toppjobb-i-fn-mamma-och-pappa-har-alltid-sagt-att-jag-kan-bli-precis-vad-jag-vill/jooy9m1j

The World Economic Forum and the McKinsey Health Institute have released a new insight report as part of the Forum's Women’s Health Initiative. The report addresses the root causes of the women’s health gap (focusing on science, data, care delivery and investment) and charts a number of ways forward to close this gap – from incentivizing new financing models to investing in women-centric research and implementing more inclusive health policies. Addressing the women’s health gap could potentially boost the global economy by at least $1 trillion annually by 2040. Investing in women's health – which is more than just sexual or reproductive health – is therefore not only a matter of health equity, but a chance to help women have expanded workforce participation. Most importantly, it would help them live healthier lives. Mathias Knutsson 

Inledningsvis vill jag hälsa alla läsare välkomna till mitt nyhetsbrev. Mina nyhetsbrev fokuserar på politik och andra samhällsfrågor, men ibland smyger jag även in tankar och reflektioner om allt annat som kan vara av intresse.  Nu märks det verkligen att sommaren går mot sitt slut. Det är lite höst i luften, vinden tar fart i de alltmer dovt färgade trädkronorna och framåt aftonen bjuds vi på syrsornas sång. Nätterna blir så där riktigt mörka som de bara kan bli de sista veckorna i augusti. Jag minns så väl barndomens sensomrar fyllda med glada återföreningar efter sommarsemestrar, långa cykelutflykter på torra grusvägar och ändlösa nätter under augustimånen vid kräftpremiären.  Den oundvikliga utgångspunkten för sammanfattningen av sommaren 2023 är säkerhets- och försvarspolitiken. Det säkerhetspolitiska läget i både Sveriges närområde och världen har fortsatt att försämras. Samtidigt som Rysslands brutala attack mot Ukraina fortsatt och relationen mellan USA och Kina har b...

Fantastiskt roligt att få välkomna Byggmax till Valdemarsvik och inviga deras nya byggvaruhus på Mossebo handelsområde.  Ett nytt byggvaruhus signalerar så mycket positivt: driftiga entreprenörer som satsar och att vi som bor i Valdemarsvik bygger för framtiden i vår bygd.  En stor eloge till alla som varit involverade i projektet och bidragit till att skapa en flaggskeppsbutik. Kombinationen av en otroligt fin anläggning, trevlig personal och exceptionellt bra läge vid E22 bådar gott - både för Byggmax och för alla som vill bygga, pyssla och hemmafixa i Valdemarsvik. Mathias Knutsson

Jag hade förmånen att få träffa Deras Majestäter under deras länsbesök i Östergötland med anledning av jubileumsåret 2023. Under året firar vi dels 500-årsminnet av valet till Gustav Vasa till Sveriges kung, och dels H.M. Konungens 50 år som Sveriges statschef. Kungen uppsteg på tronen den 15 september 1973, och är därmed Sveriges genom tiderna längst regerande monark. Fotograf : Clement Morin/Kungl Hovstaterna Jag framförde mitt djupaste tack till Deras Majestäter för deras synnerligen förtjänstfulla insatser för Sverige under 50 år. I samband med mottagningen på Linköpings slott hade jag även förmånen att få ta del av jubileumsprogrammet och firandet av Deras Majestäter. Jag vill även passa på att tacka landshövding Carl Fredrik Graf och Linköpings stad för ett utmärkt arrangemang! Mathias Knutsson