On the 23rd of November 2023, we took our first step in bringing our dream to life. We were excited to host two panel discussions, where a mix of photographers, journalists and marketers were invited to share their knowledge. The event was held in the atmospheric halls of Smedjegatan 5, in the heart of Gothenburg.

The first panel was hosted by Hub member Alex Maxia who was joined by editor Victor Blomdahl, freelance journalist Anne Greetje Franssen and translator/reporter Anastasiia Palchyk. It raised the question, “Which topics can foreign correspondents offer to big Swedish outlets?” They shared valuable information about what a winning pitch looks like, the peaks and downsides of being a freelancer and how it is possible to work as a journalist in a new country.

The second panel was hosted by Hub member Regine Glaß and got into the topic, “What qualifications and experiences are in demand in Sweden?” with Journalism lecturer Maarit Jaakola, freelance journalist Javad Maleki and communications specialist Jule Wegen. They shared personal insights about how to land jobs in Sweden and practical tips liked leaning into creativity to navigate the Swedish media landscape.

In between the panel discussions, we were overwhelmed by how well both Swedish and International journalists mingled, and many described it as a unique experience and exactly what they were looking for in Gothenburg and Sweden. It was hard to herd all the event participants out the door and away from their passionate and enthusiastic conversations at the end of the night.