“Resilience through religion’ panel hosted by Latter-day Saint at Scandinavia’s foremost forum for democracy and public dialogue”
On the cobblestone streets of Visby, Sweden, a spirit of cooperation and understanding filled the air as thousands gathered for Almedalen Week — considered Scandinavia’s foremost forum for democracy and public dialogue. Among the sea of political leaders, scholars, journalists, nonprofits and community organizers stood representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining voices with others in a shared pursuit of unity and purpose. From June 23 to 27, Almedalen Week welcomed people from across Sweden and beyond for a week of seminars, roundtables and open-air meetings — and for the ninth consecutive year, Latter-day Saint representatives played a key role in organizing an important interfaith moment, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org. This year’s featured panel, which discussed “Resilience through religion,” brought together a diverse lineup of respected voices: David Thurfjell, a professor of religious studies; Karin Wiborn, a leader at Equmeniakyrkan, a Swedish Church; and Nadia Jebril, a seasoned journalist known for her thoughtful reporting on faith and culture. Moderated by Louis Herrey, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the discussion explored how belief in God can offer strength in the face of adversity — both personally and communally.“Religion is a vital source of strength for many in society,” Herrey said. “This panel is a meaningful place where you can listen to each other and realize the shared values that unite us.” Speaking on the panel, Wiborn said, “I would like us to accept our differences but also see the point of us being together in a great religious breadth and using what we have as an asset for the whole society.”
