Highlights

When Karl-Adam Bonnier founded the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation that bears his name, the ambition was to contribute to the long-term development of Swedish business. Forty years later, much has changed since the foundation was established, yet its mission remains just as relevant today. Here, Karl-Adam reflects on the original idea behind the foundation and why it
continues to matter.

Mental health problems among children and young people are on the rise, while Sweden’s school health and wellness teams struggle with chronic understaffing and an unclear mandate. Now that the government commission on improving school health has put forward its proposals, the question is no longer what needs to be done, but how it will be carried out in the everyday life of schools. On May 5, the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation gathered decision-makers, researchers, and key stakeholders for an in-depth conversation on the path forward.

What happens when journalism students learn to write for academia rather than for readers, when aspiring officers are better prepared to write a thesis than to lead in the field, and when new graduates lack the practical skills the labor market demands? Are these signs of problems within individual programs, or of something larger? These were among the questions at the heart of an in-depth dinner conversation hosted by The Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation, in partnership with the Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum, bringing together decision-makers from academia, business, and the public sector to discuss the role of practice-based knowledge in higher education.

How can Sweden strengthen its competitiveness, resilience and ability to act in a time of growing geopolitical tension? That was the starting point when the Karl-Adam Bonniers Foundation brought together decision-makers from business, politics, public agencies, and academia for an in-depth dinner discussion on Swedish infrastructure and industrial policy.

How is Sweden perceived around the world, and what role does the country’s international reputation play for trade, security and competitiveness in a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty? When the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation gathered around thirty trade counsellors from foreign embassies in Sweden for its annual salon dinner, Sweden’s international image and the country’s new national brand strategy were at the center of the discussion.

On December 3, the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion on how the tax system can be designed to better support the development of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Since the major tax reform of 1991, the system has grown increasingly complex through various deductions, excise duties, and differentiated VAT rates. The discussion therefore focused on the principles that should guide future tax reforms to strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth.

How can Sweden strengthen its representation in the institutions of the European Union? This question was at the center of a lunch discussion hosted by the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation in collaboration with the College of Europe.

How can Sweden strengthen its export and investment promotion in times of rising geopolitical uncertainty and an intensifying global race in industrial policy? That was the focus when the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation and the Stockholm School of Economics brought together decision-makers and experts for the seminar “Team Sweden 2.0 – What should it be?”

As societies grow more complex, the natural response often seems to be more laws and tighter regulation. But is political regulation always the best solution or can stakeholder-driven self-regulation sometimes offer a more effective and sustainable path forward? This was the central question at a recent seminar hosted by the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation, where decision-makers, researchers, and experts came together to discuss the issue. The evening underscored that Sweden has several strong track records of successful stakeholder-driven regulation.

Sweden needs to invest in the leaders of tomorrow. That is why the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) is planning to launch the first Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in the Nordic region. The program aims to equip students with the skills required to lead public institutions in Sweden, as well as within the EU, NATO, and the UN. With secured funding, the first cohort could be welcomed as early as fall 2027.

The Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation Scholarship has been awarded to three outstanding Swedish students to support their master’s studies at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. The long-term ambition is to strengthen Sweden’s presence within the European Union and help reverse the current underrepresentation of Swedes in EU institutions.

Sweden’s tax system has remained largely unchanged since the early 1990s. On June 17, a new book was launched – Experternas guide till skattegalaxen – tolv röster om behovet av en skattereform – aimed at reigniting the debate on tax policy and exploring potential paths forward. The anthology, edited by Mats Bergstrand, has been co-financed by the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation.

With the turn of the year, a new mandate period began for the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation. This means that a new Board will now take over the management and further development of the Foundation. While the core mission remains the same, the new board has the opportunity to shape its future direction.

A mandate period characterized by significant global changes is coming to an end. Courage to explore new opportunities while maintaining a focus on long-term goals has driven the development of new initiatives and collaborations under the leadership of Tor Bonnier, Chairman of the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation.

Society faces major and complex challenges. There is an increasing need for individuals in politics and public institutions to be equipped with the right knowledge to address societal challenges and drive sustainable development. At present, the Nordic region has sparse higher education opportunities in this area. The Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), in collaboration with the Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation, is therefore initiating a scoping study to explore the creation of the Nordic region’s first Master of Public Policy program. The results will be presented before the summer of 2025.