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Someone once said that you only exist if you are visible. This is true and even more important now than ever. We exist in an international society and do not only compete with our closest neighbours. We are part of a global reality, where the whole world reaches into your everyday life. You watch international news on TV. You read international newspapers and you have access to the internet. This means that you and I can get the same information almost at the same moment it is happening on the other side of the world.

It is an amazing thought and gives me an overwhelming feeling of equality. Everyone has the same chance, at least in our part of the world, to be a critically thinking person. This presents an opportunity to make a difference, to make a change. Our minds can be set free in a fantastic way and you and I can be part of creating a brighter future.

Internationalization does not only affect society on the level of the individual. It also affects how we must act as a society in order to enhance development. For many centuries we have been living in the fallacy that it is not necessary to promote our society; that everyone ought to know how perfect Arjeplog is and how magnificent life in Arjeplog can be. Today, however, we have to place ourselves on the map and in the minds of people outside Arjeplog. We have to sell the product “Arjeplog” and show the rest of the world what they are missing.

If we are to succeed in creating a social change in Arjeplog we all have to be ambassadors and strive to spread a positive image of our society. As a society we have to take actions in order to promote Arjeplog in TV, newspapers and other media in order to make Arjeplog better known. This is an odd thought to many of us but we have to accept the reality of the situation. It is necessary to stand out; otherwise we will drown in the mainstream.

It is also decisive that we make Arjeplog attractive to live in, to move to and a place where it is good to establish businesses. The attitudes of people like you and me are crucial in this process. For me it is really important to create a society everyone can be proud of, regardless if it is improving the quality of the schools or the elderly care, or making the surroundings of Arjeplog more beautiful with plants in the summer or lights in the winter. All aspects are important when it comes to creating an awareness of being proud of what we have.

My sincere wish is that we all can work together in the process of selling Arjeplog as the best place to live in. Together we can make a change!

Mayor of Arjeplog