“We value the holistic view on the surrounding world”
In a post-industrial society we should not focus on achieving growth alone, but also on pure knowledge and the wellbeing of people, according to Sören Lillkung. This is why he appreciates Future Challenges in the Nordics, with its many interactions between branches of science, between humans and surroundings and between hard and soft values.
Sören Lillkung is the CEO of The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland. Lillkung has a background as an opera singer and holds a Master’s degree in both Music and Social Sciences.
Why did you want to fund the research programme?
“The research programme focuses on the human being in a changeable world. Since the purpose of the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland is to distribute grants to culture and education, it is suitable for us to take part in a programme focusing on social sciences and humanities.
Our vision states that ‘we want to create an open and inclusive society’ and we are certain that this project contributes to fulfilling that goal. Studies on how human beings are coping in a world where we strive to be more efficient and have fewer human contacts are important. What happens to the human longing for contact and meetings? The most important thing in life is however interacting with others – not to fulfil oneself.
We appreciate that many different organisations with different purposes contribute to the programme.”
What are your expectations of the research programme?
“We value the holistic view on the surrounding world. There is an interesting interdisciplinary dimension to the project. It constitutes of interactions: between branches of science, between humans and surroundings and between hard and soft values.
In a post-industrial society we should not focus on achieving growth alone, but also on pure knowledge and the wellbeing of people.”
Why is it important to highlight humanities and social sciences?
“These topics are the foundations of democracy. This programme postulates the possibility for every person to find her place and herself. When a person knows who she is, she can relate to others and to her environment.”
