The event brought together researchers, representatives from business, civil society, and the public sector to discuss how to build resilient societies in an era of disruption.

“We want to understand how to build societies and organizations that can not only withstand crises but also learn and grow from them,” said Professor Martin Carlsson Wall, who leads the new center.

The evening opened with two keynote speeches: Mikael Frisell, Director General of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), and Michael Claesson, Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. Both stressed the urgent need for stronger coordination between public and private actors to meet emerging security challenges.

This was followed by two panel discussions:

Panel 1: Supply Chains and Innovation – Where Should We Be by 2030?
Henrik Gaunitz, Head of Strategy and Finance, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
Pär Malmberg, Government-appointed investigator on business sector readiness
Kia Orback Pettersson, Chair, Karl-Adam Bonnier Foundation; former Chair of SVT
Mikael Karlsson, CEO and founder, MW Group

Panel 2: Financing Total Defense - How Can Defense Become a Sustainable Investment?
Adam Kostyál, CEO, Nasdaq Stockholm
Ellen Rova, Chief Financial Officer, Swedish Armed Forces
William Paus, Deputy CEO and Head of Wealth & Asset Management, SEB
Kristin Magnusson Bernard, CEO, AP1

The final part of the program featured insights from a delegation of Ukrainian hospital managers, visiting SSE as part of a leadership training program in hospital management. These professionals have been operating under extreme conditions, facing challenges related to war-related injuries, displaced populations, staff shortages, and direct attacks on hospital infrastructure - all while working to modernize hospital governance and transparency under pressure.

Their reflections offered a powerful reminder of the real-world stakes involved in building resilience - not only in systems and institutions, but in the people who keep them running. As Supreme Commander Michael Claesson stated: "Now, not tomorrow."

The new center is part of the House of Governance and Public Policy (GaPP) at SSE. It will serve as a platform where academia, government, and industry come together to co-produce knowledge and strengthen Sweden's total defense.

📸 Below is a selection of photos from the evening.