The SCC’s Extraordinary Member 2022: Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist

10 March 2023

After 24 years abroad, Swedish diplomat and SCC Extraordinary Member 2022, Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist, knows the value of international experience. Having worked in many different countries, from Mexico to Australia, she describes herself as “partly Swedish and partly everything else”. Through her role as Chair for the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad, she hopes to give similar opportunities to the younger generations.

I think everybody should try to widen their horizons and avoid staying in the place they grew up. It's only healthy to try different perspectives, to gain international understanding, and to see how people think in other countries.”

Karin understands the value of international exchange, both from a personal and a professional point of view. During her years as a Swedish diplomat, she has been stationed in many countries and continents, and traces her passion for international affairs back to her student years.

“My international career started at the Student Union, where I was the international ombudsman, and took care of foreign students. Later on, I was accepted to the Foreign Service, and I’ve been a diplomat ever since, posted abroad for 24 years, living in many different countries.”

Through the years, Karin has held a number of diplomatic positions, and represented Sweden all around the world. She has been Swedish Ambassador in several countries, such as Mexico and Australia, and later, Secretary General for the NGO Swedes Worldwide. She believes the many years of representing Sweden abroad has made her both more and less Swedish.

“In this type of life, you have your heart in different places. While the further away from Sweden you live, the closer you feel to the Swedish culture. Reversely, when you work close to Sweden, you'll feel more international. I feel as if I am partly Swedish, and partly everything else.“

Passing it on to the next generation

Having spent most of her life abroad, Karin deeply believes in the value of international exchange, especially at an early point in life. Through the years, she has worked actively to provide young people with opportunities worldwide, and been both a mentor and promoter for students.

“I have always liked working with young people – it gives me a lot of inspiration, new ideas and helps me to keep up to date. It is extremely beneficial to work together across generations, as each generation will bring something different to the table.”

Since 2018, she holds the position as Chair for the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad, a foundation that grants scholarships for young people seeking to gain work experience abroad. It was through this role that she first got involved with the Swedish Chambers.  

“We have collaborations with several chambers of commerce around the world, so when I was elected Chair, I got in contact with the SCC UK through the previous Chief Executive Peter Sandberg. Ever since, the SCC and I have had an excellent relationship, working together with the same agenda – to provide young people with an invaluable, international platform. “

And according to Karin, these types of exchanges can be just as beneficial for Sweden as a country, as they are for the young participants.

“All countries are competing for talent, and for Sweden, it can be quite challenging to attract talented people from abroad and have them settling down, for example, in northern Sweden. But when these young people go abroad, they acquire new perspectives and knowledge, and when they come back, Sweden can leverage their experiences.”

Building a global network

Karin looks forward to continuing her work with the Scholarship Fund for Swedish Youth Abroad, hoping to expand it even more in the upcoming years. She wants to see a broader range of opportunities offered to the youths, as well as a longer list of possible destinations.

“Our goal is to widen the scholarship; to give more opportunities for students to go and work abroad, but also to expand it to more countries. We have a strong presence in Europe and Asia, but we could increase the number of countries in both continents, as well as put more focus on Africa and South America.”

She would also like to create a platform where the scholars could connect with each other, both during and after their year abroad.

“I want to follow the example of SCC UK and start an alumni group, for current and previous scholars. I imagine they could really help each other, with everything from connections and job opportunities to cross-cultural advice. As we work with between 15 and 20 international chambers, and have scholars all over the world, I believe we could create an invaluable platform together.”

Read the full issue of The Link No.364