The David Sjögren Memorial Fund has been created in memory of David Sjögren, who died tragically in an ice-skating accident outside Stockholm on 28 January 2006.

The Memorial Fund was started by the Tällberg Foundation, which has chosen this way to honour David Sjögren’s memory by contributing to the development of young African leaders. The fund aims to make it possible for a young leader, chosen by the board of the Memorial Fund, to stay in Stockholm for 3-6 months. With an internship at the Tällberg Foundation as platform, he/she will be given the opportunity to expand his/her network and through shorter internships in other companies and organisations during the stay in Stockholm. He/she will also be given the opportunity to participate in the Tällberg Forum.

Many of my age are quite knowledgeable about the global challenges that lie ahead of us. My generation, born in the 70s, grew up with a fundamental environmental awareness. Many of us have travelled the world and seen the gaps between rich and poor. Yet so few with knowledge and talent really put their potential to use for these issues.

I think that doubt is a paralysing obstacle - doubt that we can achieve results in these areas, doubt that small-scale action can have large scale impact. When the difficulties are immense and no solutions are in reach, it's easier just to ignore the threats.

To mobilize much talent, I wish there was more belief that the big, complex challenges of today really can be solved. A bit more hope and some courage could do wonders.

David Sjögren’s contribution to the book “Visions from the Present – Compositions and Contributions from participants of the Tällberg Forum 2005”, published in 2006 by the Tällberg Foundation, Stockholm