An interview of Lena Sommestad, Professor of Economic History and
former Swedish Minister for the Environment , recorded during the International Conference "An innovative society for the XXI century" held at Paris on July 12 & 13.
For Lena Sommestad, in Europe we do need a new type of social model that she calls "Social Investment Model", meaning that we need to invest in social policy, education, public health, etc.
Moreover, Lena underlines that it is the best way of dealing with our challenges of the economy, of a welfare State, but also challenges of climate change. Indeed countries that put a lot of efforts in social creation succeed better in mitigation climate change.
We can learn from Sweden, a country having a long tradition of social investment policies, but also from the developping world.
In addition, having a social investment strategy will allow to save money, and to get more support for paying taxes for example. It is better "If we prepare instead of repare" says Lena.
She concludes with this remark on the importance that people trust in the State, civil servant (that you do not have corruption), to keep social trust up. It will ensure a good governance and a good democracy.