Preparedness Week is an annual campaign that aims to increase awareness of society's preparedness for crises and wars. By bringing together actors from different parts of society, the aim is to strengthen both local and national preparedness - and engage more private individuals in the work of making Sweden better prepared for future challenges.
When is Emergency Preparedness Week held?
Preparedness Week is held every year during week 39, in the fall.
What is the purpose of Preparedness Week?
The aim is to bring together stakeholders such as municipalities, civil society, authorities and the business community to draw attention to the importance of everyone's responsibility in society's preparedness for crises and wars. The more people who speak about this at the same time, the greater the impact the message will have.
What are the goals?
Previously, the focus has been on private individuals, but now we want to highlight the role of stakeholders and their responsibility to engage and support residents in emergency preparedness issues.
For actors:
- Develop local risk communication
- Involve more municipalities and stakeholders
For private individuals:
- Increase knowledge about threats and preparedness
- Engage more people in community preparedness
- Improving households' ability to cope with crises and wars
A survey shows that 39% of the population wants to get more involved in emergency preparedness issues, but 62% do not know how.
Name change from Crisis Preparedness Week to Preparedness Week
Previously, the campaign focused on disasters and crises. The name change reflects a broader focus that now also includes preparedness for war.
Current events?
Preparedness Week always has an all-hazards perspective, but interest in self-preparedness has increased, especially among young people. Experiences from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are being used to strengthen society's resilience.
The campaign hashtag?
#preparednessweek or #sevendays.
Why a culture of preparedness?
We need to change the attitude towards preparedness and make it a natural part of everyday life – as obvious as sorting garbage. It is something we should think about both at home and in the workplace.