SWEA is a worldwide non-profit organization with around 8,000 members in 34 countries on 6 continents. The members of SWEA are Swedish-speaking women living all around the globe.

SWEA International is the head organization of the 76 local SWEA chapters.

SWEA's primary mission is to protect the Swedish language and to support and raise awareness of our culture and traditions. Additional objectives include acting as an intermediary in supplying personal and professional contacts, and establishing a network for members throughout the world.

Agneta Nilsson, who was named "Swede of the Year" in 1995, founded the organization in Los Angeles in 1979 and has been awarded a royal medal for her accomplishments. In the same year, SWEA received the "Positive Sweden Prize" for "exceptional work in strengthening the image of Sweden abroad."

SWEA is an efficiently run organization. For example:

Impressive Network: It is easy for SWEA members to establish contacts and find business opportunities in 34 countries across the globe. Members gain access to around 8,000 other SWEA members directly through our database.

Organized infrastructure: One sure sign of how professionally SWEA International operates is in how similar the 76 SWEA chapters are. The high standard matches up to any professional franchise operation.

Relocation Guidance: This support is highly appreciated by Swedish corporations. Local SWEA chapters provide relocation information free of charge and corporations save on hiring costly relocation experts. SWEA provides a "touch and feel of Sweden" and this increases the probability of a successful move for the entire family.

SWEA and the Swedish Industry: The importance of SWEA for Swedish industry and its work abroad is continually growing. SWEA is cooperating with The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, among others.

Meetings and travel: International conferences are held in different exciting locations each year. Meetings are open to all members and the hosting SWEA chapter offers programs that often surpass those of the best travel agencies.

SWEA Bed & Breakfast: This service gives you an opportunity to stay in the comfort and security of a SWEA home anywhere in the world. Low cost with breakfast included.

SWEA International's magazine: published twice a year, it is distributed to about 8,000 members, as well as several companies, universities,

Website: Find out more about SWEA International and gain direct access to the 76 local chapters' websites. Go to www.swea.org

Benefit programs that offer a very affordable health insurance plan and pension plan, among other things.

Fun: The local SWEA chapters provide different activities to give the members a "touch and feel of Sweden" through a variety of traditional events. 

SWEA North Carolina
SWEA North Carolina was founded in 1997. Most of our members live in the Research Triangle area and Charlotte. Just like all the other 76 chapters, we enjoy the benefits of the global SWEA network. On a local level, we offer several activities such as:

Cultural events: The largest one is the Scandinavian Christmas Fair, which is usually held on the first Saturday of December. It has become a very popular event where you can buy unique Christmas gifts, enjoy home-made Swedish food and experience the beautiful Lucia pageant, folk dancing, and music. Other events centered around holidays and culinary traditions include "fastlagsbullefest" (Lent), Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Night), kräftskivor (crayfish parties), sillmiddagar (herring lunches), pea soup parties and glögg (mulled wine) evenings.

• Scholarship awards program and support for Swedish language classes.
• Exhibits and performances of Swedish artists.
• Lectures, field trips, and gatherings of social or educational interest.
• Events organized in collaboration with the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce (SACC) and the Carl Larsson Lodge of the Vasa Order of America.
• Playgroups: Meetings for member mothers with small children. 

SWEA North Carolina also provides many different services and forms of support such as:

Relocation Guide Directory: Local directory of SWEA members' preferred vendors, like hairdressers, health clubs, cleaners, food stores, clothes stores, crafts, etc. Also included are professional services like real estate agents, doctors, lawyers, dentists, schools, etc.

Networking: Both personal and professional contacts through an established network that helps the members find both activities and professional opportunities more quickly. Some examples: Membership directory and e-mail access.

SWEA NC newsletter (SWEA-Bladet)

Website: www.swea.org/northcarolina that is continuously updated with important information. Advertising space on our homepage. Access to everything SWEA worldwide has to offer.

SWEA North Carolina is constantly growing. If you are a Swedish-speaking woman 18 years of age or older, you are welcome to join.

Businesses enjoy advertising with us because SWEA members rely heavily on personal recommendations. In other words, advertisers can expect a high return on their investment.

We offer several ways of advertising, such as in our newsletter, on our website and in our Relocation Guide Directory.

For more information please contact SWEA NC President, Christina Schönberg-Messick.