Latest news with #Scandinavia
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Vikings were not all white, pupils to be told
Vikings were 'very diverse' and not all white, according to a guide to teaching schoolchildren. Tutors placed in schools by The Brilliant Club, an educational charity, have been urged to ditch 'Eurocentric' ideas in favour of a 'decolonised narrative' that moves subjects away from a Western focus. A guide produced by the charity suggests ditching the idea that the Vikings were a 'homogenous community of blonde Scandinavians'. Instead, tutors are told to consider teaching that 'Vikings were not all white'. The guidance, intended to make lessons more 'relatable' for pupils, adds that Vikings were 'a very diverse group of people' with 'diverse religious beliefs' and urges the tutors to consider that 'some Vikings became practising Muslims'. This claim appears to rely on Islamic goods being found in the graves of some Vikings, who traded with the Islamic world. The last large-scale study of Viking DNA, conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2020, suggested that diversity in Scandinavian genetics came from other parts of Europe and what is now Russia. The Brilliant Club runs a scholarship programme that places PhD students in more than 800 schools to tutor underprivileged pupils and help them get to university. Schools can apply to receive tutoring, and PhD students can apply for paid placements in Brilliant Club schools. It has created two 'decolonising your course' toolkits to help tutors with the courses they will deliver when working within schools. The guides present them with a preferred 'decolonised' approach narrative which is contrasted with a 'Eurocentric and colonised' version of history. It states that there is an 'imperative to provide material to students that they can relate to and connect with … part of this should be presenting them with courses where they can see themselves represented positively'. The guidance also stresses that making courses more relatable is not simply about 'adding token Black figures into courses'. Guidance for arts courses suggests tutors should not only teach Romanticism by referencing the great Romantic poets – including Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley and Byron – but find writers who are not just 'upper-class white men'. Tutors are also asked to consider the decolonised narrative of the spread of democracy across the world, which is defined as: 'Parliamentary democratic rule, a form of Western democracy, was exported and enforced on colonial subjects for the purpose of exploitation and domination.' The guide makes several other suggestions for tutors, including being aware of the controversial nature of the term 'Anglo-Saxon'. It states: 'This was not the term the people then used to refer to themselves' and adds that 'the term has 'a long history of being used in a racially charged manner'. Alfred the Great was referred to as 'Rex Angul-Saxonum', the king of the Anglo-Saxons, in the 10th century. The Brilliant Club has said that it is not a leading expert on decolonising, but encourages tutors to reflect on inclusive and thoughtful teaching practices. Its guidance to tutors is in line with other 'decolonising' work, which seeks to move away from Western accounts of history and science, and away from artistic canons that are seen to privilege the creative work of Western figures. William Shakespeare's birthplace is one of a number of sites to be 'decolonised', and the practice can also include addressing imperial history and ideas of national identity that are seen to be potentially controversial. In 2024, the University of Nottingham removed the term 'Anglo-Saxon' from its leading course over fears that the ethnonym could play into 'nationalist narratives'. In 2023, it emerged that Cambridge taught students that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group, as part of efforts to undermine 'myths of nationalism'. The terminology of 'early medieval England' is the preferred replacement for 'Anglo-Saxon' by academics concerned that the latter has become a phrase surrounding white identity used by racists, principally to describe those in the US descended from white early settlers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lantmännen invests in Sweden bread facility in 'strategic leap'
Swedish agri-food group Lantmännen is investing about Skr700m ($73m) in a new production facility in Örebro to bolster its bread business. The company said the investment, through its Unibake bakery business unit, represents a 'strategic leap forward' in expanding the business and increasing production capacity. Lantmännen Unibake has been operating a bakery in Örebro since 1963. It produces speciality bakery items such hotdog and burger buns with a daily capacity exceeding two million pieces, according to a statement from the Swedish company. The new facility, spanning 13,000 square metres across three floors, will be built within the existing factory area. It will be constructed with sustainability features such as solar panels and smart technology upgrades, the company said. Just Food has asked the company to provide more details on the anticipated production increase and whether any jobs will be created from the project. Lantmännen Unibake Sweden managing director Jonas Lindell said: 'This new facility allows us to meet growing customer demand while strengthening our position in the region. 'It reflects our strong commitment to Swedish food production and represents a long-term investment reliability, product quality and innovation.' Lantmännen said the works at the new bakery will commence in the autumn with operations anticipated to begin in 2027. Lindell added: 'With the expansion, we are increasing capacity and thus Swedish food production. The building incorporates a range of measures that support our climate ambitions – including solar panels and technology upgrades. 'These enhancements reflect our continued focus on responsible growth and incremental improvements in environmental performance.' Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lantmännen Unibake operates over 30 bakeries across Europe, Australia and the US. It serves customers in international foodservice, including quick-service restaurants, and retail with sales in more than 60 countries. With a turnover of €1.2bn ($1.3bn), the business has approximately 6,000 employees. Its brand portfolio includes Schulstad, Bonjour, Myllyn Paras, Korvbrödsbagarn, Vaasan, Pastridor, Hatting, and Schulstad Bakery Solutions. The latest development comes after the company invested Skr1.2bn to build a new factory for plant-based proteins in September. The facility, based in Lidköping, will mainly produce plant-based proteins from peas but will also use fava beans as raw materials. Earlier this month, Lantmännen acquired around 10% of Sproud, a local, plant-based, milk-alternatives business. Founded in 2018, Sproud produces a variety of plant-based milks using split yellow peas as the primary ingredient. In February, Lantmännen's meat and charcuterie business Scan Sverige announced the acquisition of Swedish peer Lindvalls Chark to 'broaden its business portfolio'. "Lantmännen invests in Sweden bread facility in 'strategic leap'" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Vikings were not all white, pupils to be told
Vikings were 'very diverse' and not all white, according to a guide to teaching schoolchildren. Tutors placed in schools by The Brilliant Club, an educational charity, have been urged to ditch 'Eurocentric' ideas in favour of a 'decolonised narrative' that moves subjects away from a Western focus. A guide produced by the charity suggests ditching the idea that the Vikings were a 'homogenous community of blonde Scandinavians'. Instead, tutors are told to consider teaching that 'Vikings were not all white'. The guidance, intended to make lessons more 'relatable' for pupils, adds that Vikings were ' a very diverse group of people ' with 'diverse religious beliefs' and urges the tutors to consider that 'some Vikings became practising Muslims'. This claim appears to rely on Islamic goods being found in the graves of some Vikings, who traded with the Islamic world. The last large-scale study of Viking DNA, conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2020, suggested that diversity in Scandinavian genetics came from other parts of Europe and what is now Russia. The Brilliant Club runs a scholarship programme that places PhD students in more than 800 schools to tutor underprivileged pupils and help them get to university. Schools can apply to receive tutoring, and PhD students can apply for paid placements in Brilliant Club schools. It has created two 'decolonising your course' toolkits to help tutors with the courses they will deliver when working within schools. The guides present them with a preferred 'decolonised' approach narrative which is contrasted with a 'Eurocentric and colonised' version of history. It states that there is an 'imperative to provide material to students that they can relate to and connect with … part of this should be presenting them with courses where they can see themselves represented positively'. The guidance also stresses that making courses more relatable is not simply about 'adding token Black figures into courses'. 'Anglo-Saxon' controversy Guidance for arts courses suggests tutors should not only teach Romanticism by referencing the great Romantic poets – including Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley and Byron – but find writers who are not just 'upper-class white men'. Tutors are also asked to consider the decolonised narrative of the spread of democracy across the world, which is defined as: 'Parliamentary democratic rule, a form of Western democracy, was exported and enforced on colonial subjects for the purpose of exploitation and domination.' The guide makes several other suggestions for tutors, including being aware of the controversial nature of the term 'Anglo-Saxon'. It states: 'This was not the term the people then used to refer to themselves' and adds that 'the term has 'a long history of being used in a racially charged manner'. Alfred the Great was referred to as 'Rex Angul-Saxonum', the king of the Anglo-Saxons, in the 10th century. The Brilliant Club has said that it is not a leading expert on decolonising, but encourages tutors to reflect on inclusive and thoughtful teaching practices. Its guidance to tutors is in line with other 'decolonising' work, which seeks to move away from Western accounts of history and science, and away from artistic canons that are seen to privilege the creative work of Western figures. William Shakespeare's birthplace is one of a number of sites to be 'decolonised', and the practice can also include addressing imperial history and ideas of national identity that are seen to be potentially controversial. In 2024, the University of Nottingham removed the term 'Anglo-Saxon' from its leading course over fears that the ethnonym could play into 'nationalist narratives'. In 2023, it emerged that Cambridge taught students that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group, as part of efforts to undermine 'myths of nationalism'. The terminology of 'early medieval England' is the preferred replacement for 'Anglo-Saxon' by academics concerned that the latter has become a phrase surrounding white identity used by racists, principally to describe those in the US descended from white early settlers.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Are The World's Most Sustainable Cities Worth Visiting?
Helsinki, Finland, is one of the world's most sustainable cities. It's no secret that the world's most sustainable cities think their forward-looking views on the environment will attract more visitors. But what's less known is whether being green makes them worth a visit. What are the most sustainable cities? According to the latest Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), they are Helsinki; Gothenburg, Sweden; Copenhagen; Bergen, Norway; and Aarhus, Denmark. (I hope you like Scandinavia.) The GDSI ranks cities' eco-friendliness, assessing 69 criteria across environmental, social, and economic factors. It gives a snapshot of a city's sustainability performance and highlights areas for improvement. Although it isn't focused on tourism, many destination management organizations tout their GDSI scores, hoping it will add to their appeal. "Being sustainable can have a long-term impact on a city as a tourism destination," says Evelyn Xiao-Yue Gong, who teaches operations management at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business. "Being rated one of the most sustainable cities in the world inarguably increases the visibility of a city, and evokes travelers' curiosity, both of which are important stimulants for tourism prosperity." But Gong says there's a potential downside. Some visitors may experience inconveniences — like having to recycle or use mass transit instead of driving. "Nevertheless, these small frictions are typically outweighed by the overall positive push on tourism," she adds. But how exactly does that work? Let's go down the list by ranking. Helsinki Cathedral in the city center. The Finnish capital ranks first on a new sustainability list. One of the first things you notice about a city like Helsinki is how squeaky clean it is. Every piece of trash is picked up. Every leaf that falls off a tree is raked. "There are bikes everywhere," says Tampa marketing executive Jasmine Charbonier. "And I mean everywhere." I spent several days last year in Helsinki, and tourism officials there told me that they are pursuing sustainability without worrying about how it affects visitors. And yet it does. The city limits the number of cruise ships in its port, as do the other top sustainable cities. There's a heavy emphasis on mass transit. But most of the green initiatives are not noticeable to the average visitor. The only place where someone might feel it is in the wallet — all those initiatives cost money, so you'll pay more for hotels, restaurants and attractions. Älvsborgsbron Bridge over the sea in Gothenburg, Sweden. When I visited Gothenburg a few months ago, one of the things I noticed was how normalized their sustainability efforts had become. "It's been regarded as the most sustainable city in Europe for numerous years," says Duncan Greenfield-Turk, a travel advisor. "The city runs practically entirely on renewable energy, and public transport is rather effective, which makes exploration simple without a car." Greenfield-Turk says the culinary scene is a standout. Restaurants like Bhoga concentrate on seasonal, hyperlocal foods. Of course, you can't miss the cinnamon rolls at Café Husaren. But there, too, sustainability is not front and center. Gothenburg is known for its food and cultural attractions, and it just happens to be sustainable. Very sustainable. Copenhagen, Denmark, is rated as one of the most sustainable cities in the world. Denmark's capital also has a well-earned reputation for being green, as Lizet Wesselman discovered when she recently spent a month there. "They have an amazing recycling system, which is more extensive than I've ever seen anywhere else," says Wesselman, a blogger who specializes in sustainability. (It is indeed impressive — and complex.) But, she adds, that doesn't really affect tourists. "The two biggest things that are relevant for tourists are the extensive bicycle path network and the fact that the whole city seems to be cashless," she says. I've been touring the world's most sustainable cities, and was only in Copenhagen briefly last summer. But it certainly left an impression. I'm not sure if visitors will notice its commitment to sustainability or even if they will visit because of its sustainability — but there is no question this city means to be green. Panorama of historical buildings of Bergen at Christmas time. "Bergen is one of those places that quietly impresses you," says Cindy Scott, a videographer and outdoor adventurer. "It doesn't shout about its sustainability efforts, but you can feel it everywhere. The city just gets it." On my last trip to Bergen, I was stunned by the number of EVs on the road. Norway leads the way in EV adoption, and nowhere is that more obvious than Bergen, where you really have to look both ways before crossing the street. You can't hear the traffic coming. Scott said as a visitor, she noticed the EVs too, especially the buses. Also, she said the restaurants were proud of their local ingredients, which made them more sustainable. But like other sustainable destinations in Scandinavia, Bergen wasn't in her face about being green. Aarhus by night in the blue hour and reflection in the sea. In Aarhus, sustainability is more visible, according to Richard Burgon, who publishes an RV site. But it's not where you might expect. "I wasn't struck by the green spaces or the green technology," he says. "Rather, it was the extent to which the people living in the areas integrated sustainability in their lives." For example, he found a lot of urban farming projects in Aarhus (not unlike the ones I recently reported on in Berlin). "It felt like something from a futuristic novel," he says. There's a reason behind it. Aarhus has an ambitious plan to invest in green spaces and sustainable design to create a healthier and more livable environment. It's working toward a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 through a range of initiatives, including increasing the use of renewable energy and reducing waste. A consensus of the travel experts I interviewed for this story was yes, it's worth going. But no, you probably won't see a lot of big sustainability projects. It's small stuff like many multicolored recycling bins, urban gardens, and lots of mass transport and bike paths. And it's also knowing that you're supporting a place that aligns with your values — if, indeed, being green matters to you. Kristin Winkaffe, owner of Winkaffe Global Travel, says for most of her clients, sustainability means visitability. "People are looking for places that align with their values," she says, "whether that's supporting local businesses, enjoying eco-friendly accommodations, or exploring cities that prioritize green spaces and clean energy." So if you care about the environment, consider adding one or more of these cities to your "must visit" list, says Jennifer Goff, a travel advisor who specializes in sustainable vacations. "The revenue directed toward local businesses, artisans, and sustainable programs helps improve infrastructure, provides more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and creates jobs that are rooted in ethical practices," she says. Your visit will have a ripple effect. As tourism increases, other cities will see that sustainability can also affect profitability. And who knows, maybe you'll see your favorite place on the next GDSI list, which is due in October.
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The Independent
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Simon Reeve: ‘Travel helps us to question who we are and where we're from – that's how we learn'
'I left a little bit of my heart in Norway,' says Simon Reeve, speaking between shows on his current UK tour. 'I think a lot of Scandinavia is proper, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I was in a sports café by the coast in the Lofoten Islands in Norway, and I sent my family a video saying, 'I really hope we'll make it here someday,' ideally in an electric campervan. That would be my nerdy green dream,' he says. Reeve recently released the three-part series Scandinavia on BBC, which charts his journey through pockets of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and its honorary Nordic members Finland and Iceland to discover what drives the region's reputation of being so happy, organised and successful. 'I think we've been dragged into the divisions of the United States. Of course, it's interesting and there are big characters,' says Reeve. 'But if we look at areas of the world where people are happiest and the most content – it isn't the United States, it is Scandinavia. 'We met lots of great characters there who were changing lives and trying to change the world. We've stuffed it all into three programs.' Looking from the outside in, the Scandi countries seem almost utopian-like, with the levels of trust in society demonstrated through honesty shops and leaving babies outside in prams, pioneering green technology such as wind farms and carbon capture machines, and a deep connection to outdoor 'Friluftsliv' living and a love of nature. Unlike the United States, Scandinavian countries stay relatively out of the world's headlines. Yet what Reeve discovered is that the region is also full of surprises, from Finland's large investment in military at NATO's longest border with Russia, the constant threat of volcanic eruptions in Iceland, to the wave of gang violence using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Swedish suburbs. While no part of the world can claim the title of a perfect utopia, free from challenges and injustices, Reeve did encounter almost fairy-tale-like landscapes throughout his journey to the land of snow, picturesque fjords and colossal glaciers. Yet, there was one location that left him spellbound, and that was Norway. It has the second longest coastline on the planet; ludicrously jagged and broken up with thousands of tiny islands.' Cities such as Stockholm and Malmö were featured in the series, but the main focus was Scandinavia's magnificent rural vistas, which show us why so many people are be drawn to off-grid escapes over urban mini-breaks. 'Stockholm is often rated as the most beautiful city in Scandinavia, admittedly, mainly by the Swedes,' Reeve recalled himself saying during one episode. 'That was a little cheeky, because [Sweden] is gorgeous and it was breathtaking to film there. 'I'm not undermining the beauty of the cities either, but I do think that the countryside in Scandinavia is glorious. They've got much more space than we have on our crowded little islands. 'But of course, people there don't take the p*** the way people sometimes do in the UK. They don't wander about having spontaneous festivals or fires on other people's land. You can walk and camp almost anywhere in Scandinavia, which is an amazing freedom.' The lure of the Arctic has previously seen travellers head to Scandinavia for winter sports activities and adventure tourism, and Reeve explains that the region is now more accessible than ever. 'In the past, it wasn't easy to get hold of the kit you needed to visit, and the clothing wasn't as readily available either. And in truth, it is a bit cheaper now as well. Whether it's Lapland, Svalbard, or Iceland, oh my goodness, the sights you'll see, the experiences you'll have are intensely memorable, and that surely is one of the best things about travel.' Flying out into colder landscapes calls for more preparation than just throwing your swimsuit and flip-flops into your carry-on, as Reeve explains: 'Follow the advice I was given by an elderly woman selling vegetables outdoors at a market in Siberia. She said, 'You need to dress like a cabbage', that is the key to dressing for the cold.' Reeve recommends getting to know the area through a local. 'I think you always want a guide if possible. We've been taught for a while now to do things spontaneously,' says Reeve, 'which you can do, but you'll miss out on that local knowledge. It doesn't have to be horrifically expensive.' 'A lot of people want to share their area with you. We just had a guide when we were in Laos as a family, and the experience we had as a result was so much richer.' During Reeve's journey through Scandinavia, he was led by several guides, from a Sami reindeer herder in northern Sweden to a young volcanologist in Iceland, and he explains how these encounters with local communities were enriching. 'My favourite form of travel is when wealthy folk take their hard-earned money and spend it in parts of the world that need it; giving back to local communities and helping to support wilderness areas,' he adds. 'Scandinavia is an ethical place to go on a holiday, if you do it carefully. You can travel cleanly and greenly on public transport, much more so than you can in many other parts of the world. It's not guilt-free travel, that doesn't exist. But I certainly think, because they've made great strides towards becoming cleaner and greener, we can benefit from that as travellers.' While Reeve's series uncovers that not all is paradisiacal in this region, he also took a lot from the way Scandinavians live their lives. 'It made me question where I'm from, and the direction of travel that we're [the UK] on.' 'Maybe we need to take inspiration from how they're living in Scandinavia and consider how that way of life could benefit us. 'Travel helps us to question who we are and where we're from. That's how we learn.'
