The city of Gothenburg, Sweden, is poised to implement a new four-year plan (2025-2028) to combat racism, a 17-page proposal developed by the city administration after a year of work. The plan, an extension and update of a previous initiative, addresses the ever-evolving landscape of racism and aims to tackle its various manifestations within the city. The ruling red-green coalition, comprising the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party, requested a deepened analysis of how racism affects different groups in Gothenburg and called for specific measures tailored to those groups, particularly Afro-Swedes, Muslims, Jews, Roma, and Sami people.
This new anti-racism plan emphasizes strengthening the knowledge and competence of municipal employees, particularly those in leadership positions. All principals in preschools and primary schools will be required to enhance their understanding of various grounds for discrimination and the needs of minority groups. School administrations will be tasked with ensuring that all grounds of discrimination and national minority perspectives are incorporated into their assessments, analyses, actions, and follow-up procedures. Similarly, the social services will undergo annual dialogues with minority groups in each city district to enhance their understanding of their specific needs and experiences. The overarching goal is to embed awareness and sensitivity to diversity within the core operations of the municipality.
The plan also proposes bolstering cultural recognition for minority groups by increasing the number of commemorative days observed at Gothenburg’s cultural institutions. Specifically, the proposal suggests adding one Jewish and one Afro-Swedish commemorative day to the calendar. The selection of the Jewish commemorative day will be determined in consultation with the Jewish community, while October 9th, marking the abolition of slavery in Saint Barthélemy in 1847, is suggested for the Afro-Swedish commemoration. Furthermore, the plan recommends that all minority commemorative days be acknowledged within elderly care facilities, schools, and preschools, further integrating these observances into the fabric of the city’s life.
A key element of the proposed plan is the continuation of the ”Resilience Against Racism in Northeast” project, initiated in 2021 with partial funding from the National Board of Health and Welfare. This project focuses on a specific geographic area within Gothenburg, highlighting the localized nature of some anti-racism efforts. Additionally, the plan recommends establishing an annual forum against racism, providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration between affected minority groups and other stakeholders. This forum will act as a critical feedback mechanism and a space for shaping future anti-racism initiatives.
While the new plan aims to address specific instances of racism and promote inclusivity, it doesn’t include a new, comprehensive study on the degree of racism experienced by different groups. Instead, the plan draws on existing reports and dialogues conducted by the investigators with affected minority groups and various municipal units. This reliance on existing data raises questions about the depth of the plan’s understanding of contemporary experiences of racism in Gothenburg. Furthermore, the opposition parties – the Moderates, Liberals, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats – submitted a counter-proposal, requesting an investigation into the extent to which city employees are falsely accused of racism and whether specific groups disproportionately target minorities with racist acts. This differing perspective highlights the political nuances and complexities surrounding the issue of racism within the city.
Before its implementation, the proposed anti-racism plan will be subject to a broad consultation process. This step is crucial for gathering feedback and ensuring that the plan adequately reflects the needs and concerns of the diverse communities within Gothenburg. The plan’s ultimate success will depend on its ability to translate its stated goals into tangible actions and create a more inclusive environment for all residents. The ongoing dialogue and engagement between the municipality, minority groups, and other stakeholders will be paramount in shaping the plan’s implementation and evaluating its long-term impact on combating racism in Gothenburg.
