Change is constant! Progress is a choice!

The unique and best part of an open society is that it is based on democratic principles and supports a free market economy.  The inherent driving force within such a system is the human creative momentum that ambitiously fuels social, economic, and political movement and thereby, progressive change. 

Get out of the sandbox! Get into the EMU!

In conjunction with the financial turmoil in Greece and Europe, there is a gathering of those who are greedy, self-absorbed, isolationist, and anti-solidarity. In Sweden we can hear them screaming like children in the sandbox since they believe that Sweden should not join the Economic & Monetary Union (EMU) and change the currency from SEK to the Euro. It seems that some people in Sweden want to exclude themselves from membership in the EU, EMU, NATO, and even the UN.

I strongly disagree! For me, it is evident that Sweden should be a part of the EMU for at least four reasons:

FAREWELL TO NEW YORK, GOTHENBURG, HERE I COME!

 Everything in life eventually comes to an end. So does my term as the President of Volvo Group North America, based in New York City. After eight years abroad, five of these in Brussels, Belgium, and three in the United States, I have decided to move back to Sweden, as of June 1, 2010.

SEE YOU AT THE WORLD EXPO

If you walk through Central Park in New York City, you may come across an old house called the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. Originally, this was a 19th century schoolhouse designed as an example of Swedish architectural design for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. After the exposition, the New York City Parks Department purchased the house for $1,500 and moved it to Central Park where it sits today. Being a Swede, I can assure you that this is a real Swedish cottage. And it is beautiful!