Sustainability starts with knowledge – and marks the beginning of Society Expo 2026

On the opening day of Society Expo 2026, visitors gathered at Sara Kulturhus for an afternoon filled with visions of the future, discussions, and perspectives on sustainable social development. Through lectures and panel discussions, representatives from the business community, the public sector, and the general public came together to discuss issues related to leadership, the economy, global development, and how we can work together to build the societies of the future.

On the opening day of Society Expo 2026, visitors gathered at Sara Kulturhus for the afternoon event Sustainability Begins with Knowledge – a program filled with perspectives, visions of the future, and discussions about the society we are building together.

Evelina Fahlesson, City Councilor for Skellefteå Municipality, and Kristina Sundin Jonsson, City Manager for Skellefteå Municipality, welcomed everyone to Society Expo 2026 and set the tone for the afternoon by highlighting Skellefteå’s ongoing development journey as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with rapid societal transformation.

The audience then heard a variety of perspectives on the future of community building.

Helena Helmersson, Head of Sustainability and former CEO of H&M, spoke about the importance of cross-border collaboration and why the ability to work together is crucial in a world marked by major systemic changes. She emphasized that strong coalitions, where stakeholders collaborate toward common goals and share the same values, have the greatest potential to create real change. Helmersson also highlighted the importance of visionary leadership, noting that it is a crucial factor for achieving success.

Annika Winsth, Chief Economist at Nordea, highlighted how economic trends and changes in the external environment affect society’s ability to transition while simultaneously creating long-term stability and prosperity.

Kjell A. Nordström, a researcher and lecturer at the Stockholm School of Economics, turned his attention to global developments and how new opportunities emerge as the world’s economic and social maps are redrawn.

He highlighted humanity’s ability to create narratives as something that, throughout history, has brought people together and enabled cooperation. According to Nordström, cooperation is one of humanity’s strongest traits as a species.

The discussion also focused on resilience and societal strengths. The Nordic countries were highlighted as examples of societies with high levels of trust, both in authorities and in one another – which creates effective societies and a strong ability to manage change. This high level of trust also makes it possible to adapt quickly and collaborate in times of crisis.

Following the lectures, the speakers gathered for a panel discussion centered on sharing experiences, optimism for the future, and knowledge.

The program concluded with a conversation between Soraya Axelsson, former project manager for Helsingborg’s H22, and Helena Renström, project manager for Society Expo 2026. During the conversation, Axelsson symbolically handed over a baton in the form of a golden azalea.

The afternoon served as a clear example of what Society Expo aims to create – encounters between people, experiences, and ideas to explore together how the sustainable societies of the future can be shaped.

Meet people. Fix future.