English

As a response to the workshop “Designing the Parallel Society”, held by Frihetsförmedlingen in Minsk in June 2019, Elisabeth Kovtiak has written an article describing the thoughts and ideas of the participating group and the founding of the new Ministry of Uncertainty in Belarus.

“The Ministry of Uncertainty is an alternative organization that replicates some technical characteristics of ministries. It will have a website, official agenda and visual identity just as any ministry. Why those? Basically, that is with what citizens can encounter once they are interested in a ministry’s activities. The real activities of ministries in Belarus are quite opaque: hidden behind the bureaucracy. Unlike the ‘real’ ministries, the Ministry of Uncertainty initiates and fosters public discussions that do not aim to come up with a certain solution. This alternative institution is both a criticism of the passivity of a bloated bureaucratic system and the unwillingness of public authorities to take responsibilities. Another function of the Ministry of Uncertainty is to create a meeting place for the citizens where they can discuss the facade stability and an uncertainty and anxiety that exist behind it.“

Participants in the workshop and creators of the Ministry of Uncertainty:
Alina Dzeravianka, Elisabeth Kovtiak, Christin Wahlström Eriksson and Sophia Sadovskaya. The workshop was led by John Huntington and myself as part of the STATUS Project.
Logo design: Valentine Duduk

In December, the Supervisory Unit of the Swedish Public Freedom Service carried out a freedom inspection in Gothenburg

This unannounced inspection targeted the Public Transport System in the City with a special focus on the travellers’ perceived and factual freedom of movement and freedom of action. At the same time a survey of the general freedom environment on a number of different vehicles was conducted.

Photo: Andreas Torstensson

> More info on the Supervisory Unit (Swedish only)
> More images (FB post)

The Swedish Public Freedom Service opens a temporary office at Backaplan in Gothenburg, November 23rd through 25th. This office is designed to reach specific target groups, while at the same time improving the Freedom Service to the population of the Greater Gothenburg Area.

During opening hours, visitors are welcome to meet our Freedom Administrators, have Freedom Permits issued, undergo Freedom Evaluations, etc.

The Backaplan Freedom Office is co-produced with Ångpannegatans processer

> More info
> Facebook Event

Image: Varbergs kommun, Hendrik Zeitler

November 7th, the Swedish Artist’s Association, KRO, arranges a seminar in Stockholm: Artificiellt betyder konstgjort. I will participate with a short talk about Artificial intelligence and bureaucratic practices.

> more info

I’m invited to present the Swedish Public Freedom Service and discuss bureaucracy and AI Development with the amazing crowd working at Furhat Robotics. Joining me, as co-presenter at this closed event, Thursday, October 24th, is Per Johansson, long-standing member of the Freedom Service’s Department for R&D.

> Furhat Robotics
> Per Johansson

The Swedish Public Freedom Service opens a new temporary Freedom Office in Norrköping, Saturday, September 28, at Verkstad konsthall. On the opening night – coinciding with Kulturnatten Norrköping – freedom-seekers from the region can meet our Freedom Administrators, have Freedom Permits issued and undergo Freedom Evaluations. Sweden’s Freest Bureaucrat, Cecilia Jonasson, will also be available for personal emancipation planning on first come, first serve-basis.

For the remainder of the exhibition period, the office will be open Wednesday and Thursday, 4-8 PM.

> More info (Swedish)
> Facebook Event

Starting the fall semester of 2019, I have a new assignment at Gerlesborgsskolan, Bohuslän, as one of their head teachers. I feel privileged and are really looking forward to becoming part of the school’s exciting college.

> More info (Swedish)