Kick-off for Crisis and Transformation

The Crisis and Transformation profile area brings together education, research, and collaboration under one roof to foster synergies and new collaborations among researchers, teachers, and the surrounding community.

“It was great to see so many people come and participate in the kick-off,” says Eleonor Kristoffersson, professor of law, who leads the work.

The Police Authority, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), and Stadsmissionen all delivered brief presentations about their activities. Although different, they all need to work together to address social issues.

“Our strategy is to clearly communicate the facts so that everyone shares the same picture. Today, there are about 40 criminal gangs in our region, and they exploit society’s vulnerabilities for their own benefit. Therefore, we must support each other to make a difference,” emphasises Niclas Hallgren, deputy regional police chief in Bergslagen.

Elin Gert, deputy director of Örebro Stadsmission, agrees, “We are a bridge to social services, the police, and other authorities. We meet people in crisis every day, where a crisis is a feeling of losing your footing.”

“And we will do what no one else does in a crisis,” said Johan Lindgren from MSB.

The goal of Crisis and Transformation is to understand and anticipate crises, promote sustainable transformation, strengthen resilience, and educate future leaders. Thirteen research groups and over thirty researchers have joined the profile area – and more have shown interest.

“We would like to have more. Just get in touch with me,” says Eleonor Kristoffersson, and continues:

Our calendar is filling up with new activities every day. Next is the second part of a series on ‘Silent Violence’. Later in December, Crisis and Transformation will host its first symposium on truth and reconciliation processes and the Nordic models.