This week, the Nordic UNESCO meeting is being held in Lund. One reason the meeting is happening here is Lund's four UNESCO connections, including the Ravensbrück Archive, which was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2025.
Last year was something of a milestone year for Lund's UNESCO affiliations. The Ravensbrück archive at Lund University Library was added to the Memory of the World Register, the Storkriket area was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Lund was named a UNESCO City of Literature within the Creative Cities Network. In addition, the Bishop's crosier from Lund Cathedral, the missing medieval crosier, is featured in UNESCO's Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects.
"The fact that Lund is now hosting the Nordic UNESCO meeting is a testament to the city's strong standing as an international centre of knowledge and culture. For Lund University, it is part of our social mission to contribute through research, education and collaboration on issues relating to democracy, cultural heritage and sustainable development. The Ravensbrück archive demonstrates how the university can preserve and make accessible knowledge that makes history relevant to both the present and the future," says Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
The conference takes place on 8-10 September. The Swedish UNESCO Council is bringing together around 70 representatives from the Nordic UNESCO commissions, with participants from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland, as well as the Faroe Islands and Åland. Lund University is a co-organiser of the event.
Lund University also hosts a UNESCO Chair at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), focusing on education for sustainable development.
Public event at Stadshallen
The conference itself is not open to the public. However, on 10 September, an open evening will be held at Stadshallen focusing on Lund's links to UNESCO and the role that knowledge, culture and cultural heritage play in international efforts for peace.
When: Thursday 10 September at 6.30 pm
Where: Botulfshörnan, Stadshallen in Lund
How: Free admission
Facts
The Nordic UNESCO Conference is organised by the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with Lund Municipality, the Storkriket Biosphere Reserve and Lund University, with support from the Nordic Cultural Fund.
