It has given Sweden over 44,000 new companies over the years, which typically employ four people. This has resulted in almost 180,000 new jobs. These figures impress and show the value of introducing business in the Swedish educational system.
Nearly 20,000 new companies from 557 schools around the country have participated in this year's Youth Championship in entrepreneurship, which is a record, and clearly display signs of a great driving force among young people.
The winner of this competition will be invited to Sardinia in Italy on July 20-23rd this year to participate in the European Championships representing Sweden. Historically, Sweden's representative has done very well and has ended up in the very top of the ranking.
The business organization for young people has international links and has based the idea on the International Organization
JAW (Junior Achievement Worldwide) which has over one hundred members throughout the world.
Moreover, they have cooperated with the Organization
JA-YE Europe (Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Europe) which currently consists of about 40 countries with the same training concept.
The cooperation between the organizations in the JA-YE Europe consists of joint events such as the European Championships, but also experiences across national borders.
This is a proof of what drive and ambition means when it comes to creating new innovations which is the foundation for future services and products in tomorrow's new viable businesses.
There is no doubt that there is great interest among our young people to start and run businesses. But it is disturbing that our politicians do not create good conditions for businesses. In Sweden, we have 28 percent youth unemployment and the only thing they talk about is unemployment funds and other forms of contributions.
Despite the fact that Sweden is in the midst of an election year, no new ideas are at stake. Most debates are about financing higher contributions. Ambitious and well educated individuals, willing to work hard in order to succeed, are not very interested in this.
I suggest that you as an audience take note of the new ideas, something is lacking and needed. We have heard these words before, but now we really have to act.