Last Thursday, we hosted an event with Berlitz in both Gothenburg and Stockholm, bringing together members and guests around the theme Bridging Cultures and Accelerating Transformation.

In Stockholm, Tina Sjöström created a warm atmosphere where participants shared cross-cultural experiences. Using personal stories from Ethiopia, highlighting greeting rituals like shoulder bumps and broader definitions of "family", she beautifully illustrated how cultural nuances shape everyday interactions.

Meanwhile, at the World Trade Center in Gothenburg, Karolina Sveiby focused on how cultural competence strengthens engagement and retains international talent. She gave participants practical tools to discover their own cultural preferences, emphasizing that true competence requires a genuine interest in others and active dialogue.

Both sessions sparked lively discussions and reflection. A warm thank you to Berlitz, Tina, Karolina, the WTC, and all participants for bringing such great energy to these important conversations!

Do you want to learn more about intercultural communication or language training in the workplace? Connect with Karolina Sveiby, Tina Sjöström, or Doris Bandic from Berlitz on LinkedIn to discuss further. 
/M.S. 

The first Gothenburg business lunch of 2026 (on the 23rd of April) took us to Noot Nordic Kitchen, an inviting venue known for its modern twist on Nordic cuisine. Our group of 14 participants enjoyed a midday break with great conversations and a shared interest in food.

The atmosphere was so engaging that many stayed well beyond the scheduled time to continue their discussions. A special highlight was learning about Noot’s dedication to local ingredients and their measures against food waste. 

A big thank you to the team at Noot Nordic Kitchen for their warm hospitality and for hosting us in such a pleasant setting. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

/M.S.
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This Tuesday’s after work on April 21st took us out of the office and onto the ice at the curling hall in Sundbyberg. After a short introduction to the sport, we quickly learned one thing: curling looks easy — until you try it yourself. The first slides, unexpected falls, and the surprisingly hard task of pushing a curling stone proved just how technical (and physically demanding) the sport really is.

Once the games started, confidence grew and hidden talents began to emerge. A mix of trial‑and‑error, teamwork and laughter made for a great atmosphere — and gave us even more respect for our Swedish Olympic siblings who train in this very hall.

We wrapped up the evening with Italian food, good conversations, and warm smiles after the cold ice.

L.F.

Marijne Gijzel: "I’m excited to step into the role of Regional Director within the Events Team at the Dutch Chamber. I’ve been living in Stockholm for the past six years with my French husband and our two children, aged 6 and 4.
With a background in B2B marketing, I’m passionate about bringing people together and creating meaningful connections. I look forward to supporting and developing our events program, and to delivering engaging and valuable experiences for our community.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to connect!"

Mirko van Vliet: "I like creating opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas, and build connections. My first event at the Chamber was the Creativity mingle with Fredrik Härén, and I’m really looking forward to organizing more low-threshold, welcoming events that offer fresh perspectives or experiences. Examples include the upcoming Wine & Dutch Cheese tasting and a Mushroom Discovery Tour later this year.

​Before moving to Sweden, I worked at the Amsterdam Economic Board, where I focused on building public-private partnerships, and at Rijkswaterstaat (Ministry of Infrastructure), where I worked on sustainable procurement in infrastructure projects. It had always been a dream of mine to live and work abroad — I studied International Relations (BA/MA) in Groningen — and I’ve long been drawn to the Nordics and the outdoor lifestyle. When my partner got the opportunity to work as a climate scientist at Stockholm University, things moved fast.

We arrived in Sweden about a year ago. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in learning Swedish full-time at SIFA and got involved in initiatives such as Stockholm Akademiska Forum and Techarena. On the side, I’ve also been working as a Dutch mother-tongue teacher.

My professional interests are still very much around sustainability, procurement, and strengthening collaboration between Dutch and Swedish businesses. Currently, I’m assisting a trade mission for the Netherlands Embassy with 10 Dutch companies to the Nordbygg conference in Stockholm, focused on sustainable construction. I’m excited to keep contributing to stronger connections between the Netherlands and Sweden.

​Last but not least, I live on the island of Tranholmen in northern Stockholm. I enjoy mushroom foraging, swimming, cycling and Sunday sauna.
Looking forward to contributing to the Dutch-Swedish community at the Dutch Chamber and keen to connect!

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On Thursday, 26 March, we hosted an inspiring Creativity Mingle at the Dutch Embassy in Stockholm featuring global keynote speaker and author Fredrik Härén, creator of The World of Creativity. Co‑hosted with the Dutch Chamber and the Swedish‑Polish Chamber, the event brought together members and guests for an evening focused on perspectives, ideas, and the power of creative thinking.
Fredrik opened the session with an energizing talk that drew on decades of travel and conversations with creative minds across cultures and industries. He reminded us that creativity is not a mysterious talent, but a skill shaped by context, curiosity, and exposure to different perspectives. As highlighted by the World Economic Forum, creativity is one of the most essential future skills—and throughout the evening, it became clear why.
During his talk, Fredrik shared vivid stories from around the world, from unexpected moments of ingenuity in Mongolia to insights gathered in Taiwan. One of the most memorable examples came from Muhammad Ali, illustrating how creativity can be driven by unpredictability, courage, and a willingness to see beyond the obvious. He also emphasized that Swedes are listed among the most creative people, crediting the cultural combination of openness, trust, and willingness to explore new ideas.
Following the keynote, participants enjoyed a relaxed mingle designed to spark conversations and cross-border connections. The room quickly filled with energy as people exchanged thoughts, reflected on their own creative practices, and connected with new perspectives from across industries and nationalities.

​/L.F.

On Thursday evening, 12 March, members and guests of the Dutch Chamber gathered at Scandinavium in Gothenburg for an evening of SHL ice hockey and networking. Before the game, part of the group enjoyed an informal buffet.

The highlight of the evening was the SHL match between Frölunda HC and Djurgårdens IF, which (unfortunately) ended in a 3–1 victory for Djurgården. This despite the Dutch Chamber enthusiastically supporting the home team throughout the game, joining the lively atmosphere in Scandinavium.

Frölunda’s goal was celebrated with an impressive show with fireworks which added to the excitement of the evening and showcased the unique matchday experience of Swedish ice hockey.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, we look forward to welcoming you at the upcoming Dutch Chamber events.

​/J.K.

On Thursday, March 12, we hosted an insightful corporate lunch in Stockholm focused on Human Behaviour in Business Transformation, featuring Jacques Pellis, Head of Communications - Industry Decarbonisation at Vattenfall.

Jacques led a compelling conversation on how organisational change impacts behaviour, and conversely, how behaviour shapes the success or failure of any organisational transformation. Drawing from his expertise in behavioural science and change management, he emphasized the importance of placing people and behavioural principles at the heart of transformation efforts.

He shared with us that, while clear strategic beliefs are necessary to set direction, behaviour change doesn’t happen simply by communicating beliefs or ambitions. It happens when we first focus on the behaviour we want to achieve and design the conditions to enable it. Key takeaways are:

• Change fails not from resistance, but from ignoring human needs
• Resistance is data, not disruption
• Behaviour change starts with observing, not talking

We thank Jacques for sharing these valuable insights and all participants for their questions and great conversation during lunch.  Do you want to observe more behavioural change with Jacques? Connect with him on LinkedIn to discuss further.
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​/L.F.