Jenny Cecilia Carlbom; Yemen by Swedish eyes..

Social integration becomes one of the most important determinants by which exploiting heterogeneous societies can have a tremendous impact on development and more secured communities. SY-FA has met Jenny Cecilia carlbom, Swedish social activist, and explored the Swedish eye toward utilizing small communities in the Swedish society for better integration.

First of all we would like to thank you to be part of our real-time channel message towards enhancing integration with minor communities in the Swedish society. We would really be happy if you give us short introduction on you and your background.

I'm Swedish, originally from Stockholm, since 10 years in Malmö, who worked as a humanitarian aid worker for many years, mainly in the Middle East. Last year I moved back to Sweden and am now working as a Refugee Coordinator for one of the municipalities in Southern Sweden.

As a Scandinavian citizen particularly from Sweden, how do you look to an open multicultural society? And how do you think this could either positively or negatively affect community interaction?

We are already living in a multicultural society so we might as well try and co-exist the best we can! It's not easy when cultures blend, some cultural differences will be impossible to bridge, but we have to try and reach common grounds wherever possible. The world is becoming more and more mixed every day. And learning about other cultures is often broadening your perspectives, makes you understand more and can even make you take on new ways of living in a positive way. I believe all cultures have something positive to learn from other cultures.

Have you been before in some Arabic countries? How did you find cultural atmosphere there compared to Sweden? Can we say the difference helps to identify diversity and how diversity play role in identifying nation's culture?

Yes, I have lived in Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria, and also visited Dubai, Qatar, Morocco and Algeria.

It's hard to generalize about cultural differences between the atmosphere in Sweden and all Arabic countries, since there are great differences in-between the different Arabic countries. But if I was to make a try, I'd say the main differences is the individual way of living vs. the collective one, and also the Swedish secular society and legislation vs. religious societies and legislations. These are our core challenges when it comes to co-existing, and definitely plays a role in the national/cultural identities, for good and bad.

How did you come to know about Yemen?

I have quite a good knowledge about all Middle Eastern/North African countries since I've spent quite some time in the region. In my early 20s I read a lot on the politics and history of the region and learnt also about Yemen.

What do you know about Yemen? And do you think many Swedes know about Yemen and in which way/image? Why?

I have an understanding for the history of Yemen during and after the civil war, and about the cultural norms.

Yemen is a country that rarely comes across in Swedish media; the Yemeni community in Sweden is very small and there are few public persons from Yemen that most Swedes would know of, due to the lack of representation in Swedish and also to some extent European media (Tawakkol Karman might be the one person some could point out), why I believe the general wouldn't know much at all about it.

Why are you interested in Arabic language? We heard about your Arabic network initiative in Sweden, can you please tell us about it and your long term goals three this interesting step.

I had been studying a little bit of Arabic during my stays in the Middle East but had almost no one to practice with home in Sweden despite the large Arabic population in Malmö where I live. In the summer of 2010 I was in Lebanon and there I went to some polyglot meetings; language meetings where people come and exchange languages. I knew of a French discussion group in Malmö but hadn't heard of one for people wanting to practice Arabic. So I posted a message on the site Couchsurfing, asking for someone to practice with. My cofounder Dalida Chomille Bollig replied, saying she would like to practice Arabic with me, and that's where it started.

Why do you think that cultural exchange and can introduce societies in a better formula?

Cultural exchange is both enriching for everyone involved since it increases understanding for other people's cultures. It's enriching because no country is an island; most countries in the world now consists of people with various cultures, religions and habits, and many of us especially in the West have access to travels, why learning about the cultures we coexist with or in the countries we travel to is important to understand the differences between us. It's also enriching because it makes us learn about customs that can improve our lives. I have personally changed since frequenting Arab countries. While I before, for example, would be hesitant to invite a lot of people to my place to a dinner because it might be costly, now I wouldn't even consider that as a problem. I have learned a lot about generosity and sharing what you have. I also often have friends or aquintances staying in my flat when they are in need of somewhere to stay. In return I have a lot of people all over the world who would do the same for me.

Do you think it is important to open a new channel of communication with Yemen to facilitate direct interaction with Yemenis? How this could assist in development of relations between Yemen and Sweden?

Any cultural interaction between different groups is providing for the society we live in. Yemen is a country most Swedes don't know of why it would very useful for many Swedes to get to know the country and culture better. In the long run it's also connected to the Arab world and culture, that many Swedes have misunderstandings about.

Do you actively participate in organizing cultural events? Why do you think it is important?

Right now only language exchanges, as Dalida is currently living abroad and I'm running the network on my own. To start again with cultural events would be a great way to get more of the culture aspect in the network.

How do you think that Yemeni community based in Sweden should do to strengthen social integration?

I'm a believer in meeting places where people can connect over different common interests - I believe such spaces are great ways for social integration - also for Swedes, who we often loose in the topic of social integration. Many Swedes are not integrated with other ethnic groups why they are in need of social integration with people living in their own city. This takes efforts from both groups in this question; both the Yemeni community and the Swedish.

Yemen is also a country that might in some terms be radically different from Sweden: I would encourage the people in the Yemeni community to see these differences with open eyes and try to pick the parts of Swedish culture that they like.

Yemen is one of the oldest civilizations in the world but not many know this fact, how do you think that Yemenis based in Yemen could do to promote and reflect Yemen positively in Sweden. What suggestions you could think about?

Cultural events using popular culture such as music and movies are great ways to reach out to many people and show them the history and diversity of a country. Malmö Arab Film Festival is a great example of that and I believe SY-FA can try and host similar events. Also make use of social media to get your message through.

SY-FA has a long term future view where it sees Swedes safely go with Visa-exemption to Yemen for vacation, to live, to invest and to be part and engage with Yemeni society. What do you think about this?

I think this is interesting, but it needs for the current unstable in Yemen to settle. It probably also needs to attract Swedes to go to Yemen: companies that can offer employment opportunities; safe and affordable vacation spots, for example.

SY-FA is planning to establish Scandinavian Cultural Institute in Yemen where people of Yemen get to know more about Scandinavian history and culture and language. We see that this very important in terms of widening the channels of communication. What is your opinion about such project in which interested people can learn Swedish language through online sessions or webinars for example?

I think this is great. I would extend it to more than Swedish classes, since that subject is quite small. I believe a cultural institute with many different courses and events would attract a larger number.

Do you want to say something or send message to the Yemeni community based in Sweden or in Yemen via this interview?

I would be happy to get to know more Yemenis in Sweden. I have personally made a few connections previously but I would be up for making more. We're also trying to have a diversity in the Arabic-Swedish network so you would be most welcome to our language exchange events.

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