This year, the 27th Life-Link Friendship Schools Conference returned to Sigtuna, Sweden, from March 5–9, 2026.
With the theme "Sharing is Caring," the Life-Link board welcomed students and teachers from India, Indonesia, Sweden, and Romania to a conference centred on empathy, collaboration, and the power of sharing knowledge, culture, and responsibility. Over five days, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue, creative workshops, and cultural exchange. Continuing the strong traditions of Life-Link while exploring new ideas for a more sustainable and connected future.
The conference began on Thursday with arrivals throughout the day, as participants settled into their accommodations and prepared for the days ahead. In the evening, students gathered to begin working on their posters, an essential part of the Life-Link experience, setting the tone for collaboration and cultural exchange from the very start.
Friday marked the first full day of the conference and began with an official welcome speech by Life-Link chairman Dr Lars T. Johnson, together with Sofia Kinberg and Anna Johansson. They greeted both new and returning participants, highlighting the importance of this year’s theme and the role of young people in shaping a more caring and sustainable world.
This was followed by an energetic icebreaker session led by students from Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket. The activity quickly brought students together across national and cultural boundaries, creating an open and inclusive atmosphere that carried through the rest of the conference.
Later that morning, participants prepared for the poster session, where each delegation presented their schools, cultures, and Life-Link activities. This interactive format encouraged dialogue and reflection, allowing students to represent their communities while learning from others. The poster session remains a cornerstone of the conference, strengthening communication skills and fostering mutual understanding.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted towards sustainability and shared responsibility. Under the theme "Together for a sustainable future," participants attended sessions led by Anna Johansson, followed by a visit to Sigtunahöjden Conference Hotel. There, they learned how sustainability can be integrated into everyday operations, demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to global change.
The day concluded with a bonfire evening, where students gathered to share tales from their respective countries. Sitting together around the fire, participants, as well as SSHL boarding students, experienced the power of storytelling to preserve culture, build connections, and share values across borders.
On Saturday, the conference moved to Stockholm for a day of exploration and inspiration. After some free time in the city centre and lunch at Stortorget in the Old Town, participants visited the Nobel Prize Museum. There, they discovered the stories of individuals who have contributed to peace, science, and human progress, reminding everyone of the impact that knowledge and compassion can have on the world.
The afternoon continued with parallel visits: students explored the Avicii Museum, where they learned about creativity, mental health, and the legacy of one of Sweden’s most influential artists, Avicii, while teachers visited Stockholm City Hall to gain insight into local governance and the setting of the Nobel Banquet. Together, these experiences highlighted both cultural and societal dimensions of sharing, whether through music, ideas, or leadership.
In the evening, participants returned to Sigtuna for one of the most anticipated events of the conference: the multicultural evening, led by Peder Palmstierna. Dressed in traditional Swedish clothing, he guided participants through a vibrant celebration of cultures. Through music, dance, poetry, and traditional performances, each delegation shared a piece of its heritage. As always, the evening was filled with joy, pride and mutual appreciation, making it one of the highlights of the conference.
Sunday focused on workshops and active participation. Students participated in a creative sustainability workshop, "Gather old clothes – make new," where they explored how reuse and creativity can reduce waste and promote responsible consumption. At the same time, teachers participated in the BRIDGES workshop led by Georgios Savvas, which focused on leadership, cooperation, and building connections across cultures.
The day continued with an extended version of the popular Life-Link activity, Dragon’s Den, led by Alice Ekwall Sundby. In this session, students worked in groups to develop and present ideas inspired by the Life-Link values and the conference theme. The activity challenged participants to think critically and creatively about how sharing, whether of resources, knowledge, or kindness, can lead to meaningful change in their communities.
The conference concluded with an evening closing ceremony during which certificates were awarded, and reflections were shared. As always, the ending carried a sense of both accomplishment and bittersweet farewell, as participants prepared to return home with new friendships, perspectives and inspiration.
On Monday morning, the conference officially came to an end as participants departed Sigtuna.
The Life-Link Friendship Schools Conference 2026 once again demonstrated the strength of international collaboration and the importance of shared experiences. Through dialogue, creativity, and mutual respect, participants embodied the message that sharing is caring not only during the conference but as a guiding principle for the future.
Sigtuna, 24 mars 2026
Styrelsen Life-Link Friendship Schools
