To Örebro University

In our joint project, we investigate what different interpretations and meanings (e.g., economic, ecological, cultural, recreational) school textbooks have presented about forests in Sweden and Finland (1972–today). Our paper for Nordic Educational History is inspired by the conference themes “The role of the state and/or private companies”. We will especially look at which actors in Swedish and Finnish forests and forestry are singled out in the textbooks studied. Given that the Swedish and Finnish states are large owners of forests and state-owned companies are large actors in forest economy, is the role of the state explicated in the books in terms of forestry, economy but also forest destruction, climate change and nature loss? What about the big non-state-owned forest companies? Moreover, the curricula in both countries emphasize that pupils should get knowledge and skills about how our way of life affect nature and biodiversity locally and globally. We pose the critical question whether our educational systems are up to this task.