Sverker Åström facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sverker Åstrom
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Carl Sverker Åström
30 December 1915 |
| Died | 26 June 2012 (aged 96) |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Carl Sverker Åström (born December 30, 1915 – died June 26, 2012) was an important Swedish diplomat. Diplomats are people who represent their country in other nations, working to build good relationships and solve problems peacefully. Åström had a long and successful career helping Sweden on the world stage.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Sverker Åström was born in Uppsala, a city in Sweden. His father was a lawyer. Sverker went to Uppsala University, which is a famous school in Sweden. He studied hard and earned two degrees: one in arts in 1935 and another in law in 1939. These studies prepared him for a career in international relations.
A Career in Diplomacy
After finishing his studies, Åström began working for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, Sweden's capital. This is like the government department that handles how Sweden talks to other countries.
Working Around the World
- Early Missions: From 1940 to 1943, he worked at the Swedish office in the Soviet Union, first in Moscow and then in another city called Kuybyshev.
- To Washington D.C.: In 1946, he became a secretary at the Swedish embassy in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
- Back in Stockholm: He returned to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm in 1948. He quickly became a leader in one of its important divisions.
- In London: From 1953 to 1956, he served as a counselor at the Swedish embassy in London, England.
- Leading Political Matters: From 1956 to 1963, he was in charge of the political division at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, helping to guide Sweden's international policies.
Representing Sweden Globally
In 1964, Sverker Åström became Sweden's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). The UN is a big organization where countries work together on global issues like peace, human rights, and development. He held this important role until 1970.
After his time at the UN, he became Sweden's main negotiator for a treaty with the European Community (now called the European Union) in Brussels. This was a big job, as it involved discussing important agreements between Sweden and other European countries.
Later, he served as the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs for Sweden from 1972 to 1977. This is a very senior position, helping to manage all of Sweden's foreign policy. His final role before retiring in 1982 was as the Swedish ambassador to France.
Even though he worked closely with important political leaders, Åström was never officially part of any political party. He focused on his role as a professional diplomat.
Later Years and Recognition
After retiring, Åström wrote a book about his experiences called "Moments: From Half a Century in the Duty of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs." It was published in 1992.
In 2004, he received the "Gay Person of the Year" award from a Swedish magazine called QX. He was also part of a Swedish TV series called Böglobbyn ("The Gay Lobby") in 2006, which discussed issues important to the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2011, Åström was honored by the Green Party in Sweden. They recognized his important work for the global environment, especially his contributions to the UN Environment Conference held in Stockholm in 1972.
Sverker Åström passed away in Stockholm in 2012, at the age of 96.
Awards and Honors
In 1995, the government of Sweden awarded Åström the Illis quorum. This is a special medal given to people who have made outstanding contributions to Swedish culture, science, or society.
