O-zone 20 October 2025:
seminars, talks and mingle lunch
Diversity, equality and inclusion should be an integral part of every modern organisation's strategy. The O-zone stage programme is a springboard for employers and management teams seeking knowledge and strategies to successfully secure skills and develop their business through greater inclusion.
Speakers and programme
About Helena Tronner
Throughout her career as an organisational consultant, Helena Tronner has transformed over 70 organisations. Helena is a licensed psychologist, a specialist in work and organisational psychology and an expert in leadership and transformations. She has a solid experience of creating sustainable results and business value through leadership, development and continuous improvement.
Berivan Mohammed (Founder, Mångfaldsbyrån) has extensive experience in business, particularly in the recruitment industry. She has been a member of company boards and group management teams, had personnel responsibility and run units with a turnover of several hundred million kronor. Privately, she has experience of coming to Sweden as a refugee. Berivan is a frequently hired lecturer on diversity issues and for several years she has contributed to the programme Tankar för dagen (Thoughts for the Day) on Swedish Radio P1. Today she is active as CEO of Mångfaldsbyrån, whose goal is to create business benefits for companies, individual benefits for new arrivals and social benefits for all of us.
Mr Berivan participates in the panel "From philanthropy to strategy - change visible on the bottom line".
"There is a perception that a country can have either a sustainable welfare state or high levels of immigration. But that view is wrong, because it is possible to have both." says Peo Hansen, Professor of Political Science at Linköping University.
Is taking in refugees really a losing proposition and has it really cost us? Through Modern Monetary Theory, Peo Hansen proves that our way of looking at economics in relation to migration is outdated, wrong and downright harmful. For people and for public finances.
Peo Hansen is Professor of Political Science at the Institute for Research on Migration, Ethnicity and Society (REMESO), Linköping University. His research focuses on the EU and European integration, with an emphasis on migration, economics, history and geopolitics. He has written the books The Migration Myth: The Truth about Refugee Immigration and Welfare - A New Economic Paradigm; A Modern Migration Theory: An Alternative Economic Approach to Failed EU Policy; and Eurafrica: The Untold History of European Integration and Colonialism (with Stefan Jonsson).
In 2023, Peo received an honourable mention in the "Best Book in European Union Studies" award given by the European Union Studies Association, EUSA, for his book A Modern Migration Theory: An Alternative Economic Approach to Failed EU Policy.
The REMESO Institute conducts research on migration, ethnicity and society from several perspectives - individual experience, community development and the relationship of civil society to labour market changes, citizenship and welfare.
Gabriella Fägerlind has been working with gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace since 1999, and is the author of the book Mångfald i praktiken - handbok för inkluderande arbetsplatser. At Opportunity Day, Gabriella will talk about how unconscious bias affects decisions in recruitment, feedback, development opportunities and everyday communication, often without us realising it. We will also hear Gabriella in the panel discussion "From philanthropy to strategy" where she talks about profits, measurability and Swedish companies' inclusion work in an international context.
Anna Dyhre is not only a Gothenburg native at heart. She is also one of the country's
top experts in employer branding, author and moderator.
With a strong commitment to society and a broad knowledge of politics, law and HR, Anna leads us through the stage show and we can expect presence and sharpness mixed with a large dose of humour.
Abbe Alzarzour is a lecturer, inspirer and communicator at Almega. - "I want to inspire young people, regardless of their background, to dare to believe in themselves and to live with the feeling that nothing is impossible.
Abbe came to Sweden with his mum, dad and four sisters in 2016. Today, he is 21 years old, works at Almega and is this year's winner of the King's Compass Rose award. During the morning, Abbe will share a story filled with fighting spirit and cultural clashes about his and his family's journey from Syria to Karlskoga. He will also take part in the panel discussion "Please mind the gap".
With a background in economics, several years in the private sector and the street magazine Faktum, she has extensive experience working at the intersection of business, social change and social entrepreneurship. With the conviction that work is the main gateway to society - and that an inclusive labour market benefits individuals, companies and society at large, Helena Lindahl started Opportunity Day almost 10 years ago. Through Opportunity Day, she has established a platform that contributes to a broader view of skills and enables concrete meetings between employers and future employees.
One third of Sweden's population has a foreign background and this group will make up 1.8 million of the working-age population within a decade. At the same time, factors such as ethnicity, dialect, non-Swedish-sounding names and religious affiliation still have a negative impact on job opportunities. Ahmed takes part in the panel discussion "Please mind the gap"
Ahmed Abdirahman is a community leader and social entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the political week - Järvaveckan. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Ahmed moved to Sweden in 1998 as a refugee. Today, he is an acclaimed leader, summer speaker and Ahmed's leadership and commitment have been recognised at an international level. He has been named a President Obama Leader by the Obama Foundation. He has also been appointed as a member of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Expert Council on Integration.
Through Järvaveckan Research, Ahmed Abdirahman has co-authored the report "Business: Diversity and Inclusion 2025" with PwC.
Despite the tougher economic climate, the need for labour in western Sweden is pressing in a number of different sectors. Many companies are trying to recruit but failing. What consequences does this have for the economy and competitiveness? Here we look at the demand for skills in different sectors and highlight a number of examples of how business leaders can avoid losing the skills they need.
Rudolf Antoni has been Regional Director of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise Västra Götaland since 2019. Rudolf joined from a role as Deputy CEO and Head of Business Policy at Fastighetsägarna GFR, a role he has held since 2014.
Registration, mingle and coffee
Welcome to the programme
Anna Dyhre, moderator and Helena Lindahl, founder Opportunity Day
From flight to future
What young leaders teach us about Sweden today
Abbe Alzarzour wants to build bridges in society. He came to Sweden with his mother, father and four sisters in 2016. Today, he is 21 years old, works at Almega and is this year's winner of the King's "Compass Rose" award, a prize awarded to young leaders from different parts of society who have shown extraordinary courage, consideration and drive. Abbe shares his story, filled with fighting spirit and cultural clashes, about his and his family's journey from Syria to Karlskoga.
Please mind the gap
On the capital we waste when skills are excluded from the labour market
While Swedish companies struggle with skills shortages, thousands of people - with experience, drive and education - are involuntarily excluded from the labour market. This is a waste of talent, a threat to Sweden's competitiveness and a danger to social cohesion. We dive in
in demographics, employer attitudes and social costs.
Participants:
Ahmed Abdirahman (founder Järva Week),
Mr Peo Hansen (professor, author),
Rudolph Anthony (Regional Director, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise)
Abbe Alzarzour (Lecturer, Almega)
Round table discussions
Switch off autopilot and make conscious choices
Unconscious bias influences decisions in recruitment, feedback, development opportunities and everyday communication, often without us realising it. Gabriella Fägerlind (inclusion expert, author) gives you as a listener an understanding of what biases really are, how they arise, and above all: how you can move from unconscious patterns to conscious, strategic choices.
From philanthropy to strategy
Change visible in the last row
Organisations that dare to challenge ingrained norms and actively work inclusively strengthen their innovative power, competitiveness and attractiveness. The panel will share concrete experiences and insights on how organisations can make the journey of change - and why management and boards should drive the issue forward. With insights from both Swedish and international contexts, practical perspectives and business arguments are highlighted for why inclusion should be on the management agenda.
Participants:
Berivan Mohammed (Founder and CEO, Diversity Office)
and Gabriella Fägerlind (inclusion expert, author).
Round table discussions
How to succeed in the transformation
Do you want to create an inclusive culture that unleashes the potential of the whole organisation - while contributing to increased profitability? Helena Tronner (psychologist and expert in transformation) connects research with practical examples and shows what it takes to successfully create a more inclusive culture. With a focus on change management, you will get concrete tools to manage resistance, create engagement and develop inclusive leadership.
Closing and mingle lunch
Registration, mingle and coffee (08:15 - 09:00)
Welcome - Anna Dyhre, Moderator and Helena Lindahl, Founder Opportunity Day
From flight to future - What young leaders teach us about Sweden today
Maria Groschopp Dellwik, Head of Listings Services, NASDAQ / Anette Andersson, Senior Sustainability Investment Specialist, SEB Asset Management
From refuge to future - what young leaders teach us about Sweden today
Abbe Alzarzour wants to build bridges in society. He came to Sweden with his mother, father and four sisters in 2016. Today, he is 21 years old, works at Almega and is this year's winner of the King's "Compass Rose" award, a prize awarded to young leaders from different parts of society who have shown extraordinary courage, consideration and drive. Abbe shares his story, filled with fighting spirit and cultural clashes, about his and his family's journey from Syria to Karlskoga.
Vulnerable leadership
Charbel Gabro, lecturer and inspirational speaker.
By daring to show your own vulnerability, you open the door to genuine communication, mutual respect and trust. Using inspiring stories from prominent leaders and experts in the field, Charbel Gabro highlights the importance of daring to be genuine and honest in your communication and decisions.
Through interactive exercises, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own relationship with vulnerability and how you can use it to create a more meaningful and effective work environment. Whether you are an experienced leader or new to the role of manager, the show will inspire you to embrace vulnerability as a key to success and fulfilment in your work.
A journey about potential, prejudice and leadership
Hosni Teque-Omeirat, President and CEO, Eniro
Hosni Teque-Omeirat takes us on a personal journey from his childhood as a refugee to a successful career as a stock exchange CEO. How does business risk missing out on valuable skills through preconceptions? How can we recognise the potential of each individual and build a Sweden for all? What exactly is a scraper? With insights from his own journey, he shares the challenges and lessons that have shaped him, and how these experiences have influenced his approach to leadership and recruitment.
BOLD - strategic HR in a new era
Katarina Berg, General Manager Sweden, CHRO & GWS, Spotify
How can HR become more courageous in their work? To meet the needs of an ever-changing world, HR has an important role to play. How to build a work environment where creative and passionate people can be their best selves, have fun and develop great careers. Whether it's tackling a challenging change project or finding the right people for key positions, strategic HR work is crucial. By opening the doors to all candidates, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, companies can increase their competitiveness and innovation.
The programme will be updated throughout the autumn.
VISIT OPPORTUNITY DAY
21 October 2024, Clarion Hotel Post
The idea of Opportunity Day is simple: we inspire and facilitate companies to make good choices. If more foreign-born jobseekers enter the labour market, it benefits companies, society and individuals. On 21 October, it's time for this year's Opportunity Day. Find out more and sign up to be part of the day.
How will Sweden's demographics develop in the next 10 years? How can a doll affect prejudice and discrimination? What does the demand for skills look like in different industries? And what role does the media actually play in our choices and decisions in a recruitment?
You will get the answers on Opportunity Day, we alternate seminars with round table discussions.
The day gathers Gothenburg citizens - leaders and decision-makers from the business world, politicians and job seekers - from various sectors of society to jointly tackle the question of how Gothenburg can become a more inclusive city where all resources are used.
Program O-zone
21 Oct 2024, 09.00-14.45
After the seminars in the O-zone, we will serve a mingle lunch for those who wish to continue the conversations and networking. Only pre-booked and limited number of seats.
Media partner
Knowledge partner
Network partners
SEMINARS AND NETWORKING LUNCH
KL. 11.30 a.m. – 1 p.m. SEK 895 incl. VAT, limited number of places.
For those of you who wish to start the day with networking, you are given the opportunity to participate in the networking lunch. Share experiences, meet new contacts, raise questions and thoughts about inclusion through work. The ticket is valid for entry into the O-zone with an accompanying lunch.