Scholarships for young opinion leaders

Why do you award the scholarship to young opinion leaders?

When my father passed away, we wanted to find meaning in what seemed to be a meaningless situation. One way was to honor his memory by awarding scholarships to young people who work in his spirit. Dad was passionate about the young generation and worked in different ways to support the future opinion leaders and communicators. We think this is a great way to carry on his legacy. At a time like this, when democracy and the open society are being challenged in various ways, it feels more right than ever to help promote young people's participation in a democratic society.

You say that the candidate “should demonstrate a strong understanding of the importance of an open society and free speech”. What does that mean in more concrete terms?

For us, it means that the person who receives the scholarship should see that there is great value in not being afraid of each other. That we respect differences and dare to have the difficult conversations even if we think diametrically different. That it develops us as individuals and thus also society. In today's polarized society, these qualities have never felt more important. The Foundation, in my father's second, wants to promote a curious approach to differences and an understanding of each other's different 'worlds'. The ability of individuals to build bridges, to see new perspectives and opportunities can have a major impact on the development of society as a whole.

What else is required to receive the scholarship?

To receive the scholarship, you should be at the start of your career and we believe that the person is somewhere between 25-35 years old. It certainly doesn't have to be the person who is always seen and heard the most, but perhaps rather the one who humbly changes society for the better in other ways, for example by bringing together perspectives that need to be met or by contributing insights that allow challenges to be understood in a new way.

Helena Fond, Chairman of the Lars Göran Johansson Foundation, was interviewed by Stina Kinnerbäck, Researcher at New Republic. “3 quick questions...” is an interview series conducted by New Republic.

Photografer: Anna Schori/Barncancerfonden