Rotary Club of Stockholm International

24/05/2026

Why Secondary School Students Should Be Able to Start Businesses.

Ulla Hamilton, former deputy mayor of Stockholm, former managing director of an independent school organization in Sweden, present chairman of Young entrepreneurs in Stockholm, owner of Sango konsult, will speak about:

Why is it important to make it possible for secondary school students to start a company as part of their education? This talk will discuss this question and the impact of such initiatives on individuals and on Swedish society, drawing on evidence from programs that have been in place for over 40 years.

14/05/2026

We are glad to welcome Monica von Schmalensee an architect and former CEO of White Arkitekter and a pioneer and thought leader in sustainable architecture. She is recognised for her visionary examples of sustainable architecture, such as the 100-year Masterplan for the relocation of the City of Kiruna in Sweden’s Arctic north. Monica is the founder and former chairman of the Swedish Green Building Council and a member of Formas Scientific Council for Swedish research.

02/05/2026

In his talk,Dr. Jan-Olof Gullö will explore how Swedish talent moved from local stages to international fame and how Sweden became a global music powerhouse.

From Jenny Lind to ABBA, Avicii, and Spotify, Sweden’s musical journey reflects innovation, technological progress, and a distinctive musical identity.

Dr. Jan-Olof Gullö has a professional background as a musician and record producer. He brings extensive experience as an educator and researcher in higher education and is also affiliated as a Professor of Music Education at Linnaeus University.

19/04/2026

Staffan Widstrand is an award-winning wildlife photographer, the author of 19 books, and the CEO of the communication agency Wild Wonders International AB. A partner and sales director at the travel agency Wild Nature Photo Adventures, he recently marked his 42nd year as an independent business owner. Staffan is also a National Geographic Explorer and a Sony Imaging Ambassador.

Having spent more time near large carnivores across the globe than almost anyone else, he offers unique insights into living alongside our wild heritage—and the business realities of doing so.

15/04/2026

This week we have a guest sharing stories from the sea. Welcome!

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11/04/2026

Lars Hässler is from Stockholm and was born in 1946. He holds a jur.kand (Bachelor of Law), a Master of Comparative Law from USA and a year at the Institute for Advanced International Studies in Geneva.

Lars has circumnavigated the world twice with his 50’ yacht Jennifer - a Beneteau, which has sailed 275 000 NM. He's also written 9 books:

Yrke Världsomseglare (Occupation Circumnavigator), Arholma-Landsort, Medelhavet T& R, Seglingar i Medelhavet, Med båt på Europas kanaler, Mot Söderhavet, På kurs mot Alaska, Över tre oceaner och Jennifer i kalla vatten.

His favorite region is the South Seas; during his talk he will share beautiful photos while discussing its history, politics, and the impact of WWII and atomic testing.

02/04/2026

This Thursday we will listen to Fredrik Holmgren IBM Quantum Ambassador Regional Lead, Account Technical Leader Manager - IBM NRT (Sweden, Norway, Finland) who will talk about Quantum computing.

Quantum computing represents a fundamental shift in how we process information, harnessing the laws of quantum physics to tackle problems far beyond the reach of today’s classical computers. Ever since 2016, IBM have deployed more than 85 quantum computers for our uses, and currently have multiple quantum computers available that our users and partners use over the cloud, or for some clients, via on-premises installations. In this presentation, IBM Quantum’s approach to building quantum systems is introduced. The talk explains key concepts and look at real-world use cases including advances in chemistry, materials science, finance, and optimization.

22/03/2026

This evening, our member Kjell Rodenstedt will give a talk on the Stockholm Concert Hall. Inaugurated in April 1926 following a lengthy planning period, the building has a fascinating history. During his presentation, Kjell will focus specifically on how the project was financed and constructed.

16/03/2026

We are glad welcome Dr. Adiam Tedros Head of Unit for Scholarship and Leadership Programmes at the Swedish Institute, a government agency dedicated to fostering global interest in and trust for Sweden. She will share insights in international exchange and discuss how competitiveness can be strengthening by connecting leading international change-makers with Swedish companies and innovation environments. Before joining the Swedish Institute, Adiam held a variety of positions within the field of international development cooperation, where she focused on advancing inclusive and sustainable change.

08/03/2026

Our students are struggling — and so are our schools.

Today's learners are overwhelmed by information, disengaged from the classroom, and losing confidence in their own ability to think critically. At the same time, schools are navigating tighter budgets, widespread cheating, and burned-out teachers.

So where do we go from here?

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most talked-about tools in education right now — but it comes with real questions. What about hallucinations? Sourcing? Cheating? The fear that technology might do the thinking for our kids instead of inspiring them to think for themselves.

Those are exactly the conversations worth having.

This week, we're sitting down with Stas Shakirov, Founder of Humy.ai — an AI pioneer with over five successful AI projects and a passionate advocate for using technology to ignite curiosity rather than replace it.

Through Humy.ai, Stas has built an AI gallery of more than 1,000 historical, philosophical, and cultural figures — from Tutankhamun to Eleanor Roosevelt to Henry VIII — that students can actually interview and learn from. It's already being used in classrooms and museums worldwide and has been featured on PBS in the US.

His mission? To reduce boredom, spark curiosity, and empower students of all ages to think, create, and discover for themselves.

Join us as we explore a practical, proven path forward — one that inspires learning instead of suppressing it.