A place for dialogue…
We learned that the Sigtuna Foundation was created as a meeting place for reflection and dialogue, where it is okay to have different opinions. The goal of the year-end meeting was to create a common understanding of the strategy, discuss what is going on in our three areas of focus, and identify obstacles and opportunities for the coming year. We adopted the Sigtuna Foundation's mindset and held lively, but respectful, discussions about what we should prioritize in the future and why. In addition to the formality, the purpose was also for both old and new members of the board and office to get to know each other better. With the help of just enough coffee, discussions, food, and sauna baths, we managed to foster community and trust.
Project leaders Emma, My and Jenny each held a session during the day about their areas of focus, and the board members were tasked with introducing each area and providing a concluding reflection.
Our active board starts early by asking important questions about the current strategy. How can we achieve more long-term results? Are we reaching the right target groups today? What can we do differently to help project owners more? How strict do we really need to be with the strategy? Many questions generate many different opinions. Together we discuss the upland areas of the future, and what crises affect us. We have fantastic resources in the area, but how do we make the best use of them? We are inspired by the discussions, which make us look beyond the challenges. With the keywords inclusion, learning, long-termism, local livelihoods and sustainable services, I summarize the discussions from the first day.
… and collaboration.
Early Friday morning it is time for a breakfast seminar together with Helena Nordström Källström, rural strategist at Uppsala Municipality. The theme is Food Security, and she touches on the question of why this is important, as well as how the municipality is working on the issue. After the presentation, she participates in a panel discussion with the board, but also the audience on zoom. Among other things, we discuss import dependence, grain production and civil preparedness. Finally, the panel emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration to promote the exchange of experience and skills development.
The presentations from the office provided a basic understanding of Upplandsbygd's operations. We hope that most people left with a filled knowledge bank and useful ideas about how we can all work for the good life. We at the office would like to thank the board and also the Sigtuna Foundation for an exciting and educational start-of-year meeting!
//Hanna
Would you also like to familiarize yourself with our strategy? Read more about it here, and feel free to become a member of our network. By joining for free, you will receive our newsletter and invitations to the annual transition meeting, theme evenings and study visits.
