Dear Subscriber,
About a week early, we would like to wish our SwedCham community a wonderful and merry Christmas and a great start to 2022.
Last week, we launched our much anticipated gender initiative, #candid: 100 Perspectives on Gender Equality in Singapore. We will dedicate most of the newsletter to this effort which has involved many SwedCham Members as well as a number of external stakeholders and new found friends and partners. We are very proud that so many of our Members take a strong stance on gender equality and were willing to lend their voices on this topic. The outcome became an unprecedented collection of testimonies why gender equality is crucial for a prosperous society, as well as a pledge to double up on paternity leave from 2 to 4 weeks in Singapore.
We want to inspire more people to join the conversation and show that Singapore already has a broad and dynamic base that supports the cause for gender equity. Only by working together can we move the needle even further towards a more equal, sustainable and prosperous society.
Don't forget to join our PLEDGE - open until International Women's Day 8 March 2022.
Your dedicated SwedCham team,
Lisa, Anna & Caroline
Photo: HansStrand/imagebank.se |
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| Launch of new SwedCham initiative |
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In order to contribute to 2021 - The Year of Celebrating SG Women - SwedCham launched its new gender initiative #candid: 100 Perspectives on Gender Equality in Singapore on 9 December. Over 100 men have contributed to this initiative, giving their perspectives on why gender equality is not just a "women's issue" but something that is important to the whole society. The book and the digital campaign are conceptualised by creative agency Dilucidar and supported by 20 partners and sponsors. With #candid, SwedCham hopes to inspire real change, to contribute to shifting mindsets in the workplace and to broaden the conversation around the topic of gender equality.
At the day of the launch, the book was handed over to Minister of State Sun Xueling at the Ministry of Social and Family Development by Harald Fries, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of Sweden in Singapore.
The #candid initiative in the news: CNA938 (radio)
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From left to right: Carolina Rodriguez, Director, Dilucidar and Chair, SwedCham's Sustainability Committee; Harald Fries, Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Sweden in Singapore; Minister of State Sun Xueling, Ministry of Social and Family Development; Lisa Ferraton, General Manager, SwedCham Singapore. |
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A special thank you to the following partners that championed this initiative: |
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| SwedCham pledge to double up on paternity leave |
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As we were working with the #candid initiative, Emma Hågemo at Oriflame Cosmetics threw out an idea to her fellow SwedCham sponsors: In order to take some concrete steps to show that we walk the take on gender equality, why don't we come together around a pledge to double up on paternity leave in Singapore from 2 to 4 weeks? IKEA implemented this in 2017 already - maybe it is time to follow?
That's how our pledge to double up on paternity leave in Singapore during 2022 was born. The following nine Swedish MNCs in Singapore are onboard this far:
The business community has an important role to play to make gender equality a reality. We must continue to make strides toward ensuring women are well represented in our organisations, promoted fairly, and not penalised for taking the time they need for the essential task of giving birth. In addition, we must move towards recognising that fathers too have an important role during the early months of a child's life. Parental leave for both mothers and fathers is one of the levers to building a more equal society.
This pledge is about coming together through business alliances and collective action. That is why this pledge is not only an announcement of our shared vision but also an invitation to other firms to join us. The pledge will be open for the broader business community to join until International Women's Day on 8 March 2022.
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| Member News: Santa travels electric in Italy! |
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Thanks to a partnership with ABB, Coca-Cola and Volvo Trucks, Santa Claus brings holiday greetings across Italy with a fully-electric truck.
ABB charging stations are part of Italy's charging infrastructure which will power the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck as it travels from the north of the country to the south, demonstrating e-vehicles can be a viable sustainable transport option.
Running from December 7th to 20th, as part of the Magic Tour Coca-Cola, the first 100% electric Coca-Cola truck tour will cover 1,300km, including stops in Milan, Bergamo, Naples and Catania. The state-of-the-art all electric Volvo truck will also stop at ABB sites to recharge in a sustainable way: a recharge of energy that comes from 100% renewable sources that have powered all ABB sites in Italy since 2019.
The Volvo FL Electric, chosen for its quietness and versatility in the urban environment, for its maneuverability and fluidity when driving, is perfect for the quick delivery of Christmas presents, up to 16.7 tons, thanks to the power of 200 kW (equivalent to 272 hp) provided by the four batteries that deliver 265kWh.
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck will utilise different charging technologies - from the fastest available in the world today, which ABB produces in its Italian factory in Valdarno for the global market, to fast chargers and wallboxes that can recharge electric vehicles during long stops, typically at night. |
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| The Nordic Film Festival returns! |
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The Nordic Film Festival returns this year with 10 films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Exclusively showing at The Projector from 16 December to 26 December, come discover a full line-up of award-winning films including the prestigious Palme d'Or, Oscar submissions and Golden Globes nominations with stories that present life in the North and the diversity and character of its people. From feel-good documentaries to dark comedies, poignant refugee narratives or gripping true-story thrillers, we've got you covered! On 16 December, the Nordic Film Festival will open with the Swedish film Catwalk, a heartwarming film about inclusivity. Emma wants to become a fashion model and ask Pär Johansson and the Glada Hudik-theatre for help. An unattainable dream for most, especially if you have a disability. Together with a group of unusual models they begin a bewildering journey. Diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 45, Uje struggles to break the news to his family while his personal life crumbles away. Writing the script and playing himself in the movie, the 90s pop star is also joined by his wife and kids in the film to deliver a story of both laughs and loss. |
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| Get ready for Christmas at Gardens by the Bay |
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Together with our Nordic colleagues at the Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Finland and Embassy of Norway, the Embassy of Sweden is adding a Nordic Christmas touch to this year's Poinsettia Wishes exhibition in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay.
This Christmas, the well-loved seasonal floral display at the Flower Dome is being inspired by traditional confectionery from the Nordic countries. There is a Try Swedish! food display available at the Flower Dome as well.
The Nordic Christmas-inspired Flower Dome is open until 3 January. |
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| Strindberg's Miss Julie in Singapore |
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It’s Chinese New Year and celebrations are in full swing across post-war Singapore. Julie, daughter of a British tycoon, crashes the servants’ party downstairs. But what starts as a game descends into a fight for survival, as sex, power, money and race collide.
In playwright Amy Ng’s adaptation, Miss Julie transports us into a tumultuous era, where the disintegration of the British Empire is set against the rising consciousness of nationalism sweeping across Asia.
Co-produced by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Hong Kong Arts Festival, this is a startlingly provocative play where differences of class and race rub against each other like tectonic plates, resulting in an eruption of sexual powerplay and class manipulation. Gripping to the very end, Miss Julie challenges preconceptions about racial supremacy, sexuality and taboo relationships.
Special discounts for corporate events available to SwedCham Members.
For more information: |
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| SAVE THE DATE: Midwinter Ball changed to Spring Ball 2022 |
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January: Cross Chambers Speed Business Networking. Pharma engineering and engineering industry.
Friday 11 February: Market Outlook - South Korea with Business Sweden
Tuesday 15 February: CEO Speakers Series - Jonas Samuelson, CEO, Electrolux (APAC event)
Tuesday 15 March: Market Outlook - Taiwan with Business Sweden
Saturday 7 May 2022: Spring Ball, Goodwood Park Hotel. |
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