Robert Eklund

Just another US-EU nerdy policy guy. Nordic. We could use more maps, bookstores (tsundoku) and integrity. Stay curious, humble and kind. Hakuna matata, mostly.

[Jessica Berlin @berlin_bridge]

“You’re the savior of the people, you bring tears to my eyes.”
“No no, you saved Europe.”
“My hero.”
“No, you are our hero.”
“I pray for you.”

Heartbreaking between @ZelenskyyUa & a #DDay veteran, who knows the cost. He kisses his hand & won’t let go.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

The Finnish president-elect @alexstubb visits the runner-up candidate @Haavisto's election night campaign HQ after the final result before going to his own. They both made this promise to each other in private. What an unexpected but important beautiful, symbolic moment.

[Nordic News @Nordic_News]

The Finnish way:

President-elect Alex Stubb visits Pekka Haavisto’s campaign HQ after victory:

”Pekka, you are one of the finest persons I’ve ever met.”

Source: Yle
#Finland #vaalit

[윤석열 Yoon Suk Yeol @sukyeol__yoon]

It was an unforgettable night. Thank you President Biden and Dr. Biden for your warm hospitality.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

CEO @MHedengren of @Readly on running something you did not found, says sometimes founder-led companies can become hierarchical w/ bottlenecks. She advises to create & allow a scalable culture where people can lead w/o going through the manager all the time. @SlushHQ #slush2021.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Speaking about organic growth through e.g. word of mouth marketing, Chief Revenue Officer @ONottebohm of @NotionHQ says being genuine is far more valuable for a brand instead of being 'perfect' w/ a beautifully curated narrative that doesn't come from users. @SlushHQ #slush2021

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Glad to see a conversation on policy and regulation w/ topical insights by @MarietjeSchaake #Slush2021 in convo w/ @GregWilliams718. More of these please, @SlushHQ 👍

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Talk w/ @DoorDash CEO Tony Xu, @woltapp's @mikikuusi & @mvikkula @SlushHQ #Slush2021 touches on the subject of culture in companies. Xu says it's '80 pervent of who you are and 20 percent of who you aspire to be'.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

JFK's 'ask what you can do for your country' was and still is a powerful call for service. But sometimes it needs to be a bit of the other way too. Good to recognize past systemic shortcomings like this. Live and let live!

[Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office @FCDOGovUK]

“I thought this was a secret that I’d have to take to my grave.”

Former Ambassador Stephen Wall on the historic LGBT ban in the FCDO.

The FCDO has since become a proud & inclusive employer of LGBT+ people & a global champion for LGBT+ rights around the world.

#LGBTHM21

[Susanne Baumann @GermanAmbUK]

After our catastrophic failure in the 20th Century we Germans were taught by the US to develop strong democratic institutions. We also learnt that democracy is not just about institutions. It is about political culture, too. All democratic nations need to constantly defend it.

[Daniel Dale @ddale8]

The lying has real consequences.

[Jake Sherman @JakeSherman]

this image is something.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

When grace and dignity prevailed after a hard-fought campaign.

[Jeremy Vine | Here, on Tiktok, Insta & Facebook @theJeremyVine]

For those wanting to see a concession speech, this one by John McCain — congratulating Obama in 2008 — is worth watching again. See how he faces down the boos from his own supporters. Very few greater moments of humility.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

100 % agree with you @alexstubb. It affects a lot of otherwise "easy" language exposure and immersion throughout Europe.

With regards to this I sometimes think how unique it is to go to a Finnish cinema and have movies not dubbed but subtitled in both our national languages!

[Alexander Stubb @alexstubb]

In the name of cultural diversity, art, expression & language, could we please stop dubbing movies and television in Europe?! It is simply vulgar and tasteless. Subtitles work very well and you might just end up picking up another language in the process. #authenticity #culture

[The Atlantic @TheAtlantic]

Former President Barack Obama spoke during the funeral of Representative John Lewis. Here are his full remarks, from @realcpaz: https://t.co/GWQh3XpHQW

[Benjamin Haddad @benjaminhaddad]

European map according to main trade partner.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

@JussiLahde Check these out: Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell & Chris Stapleton - the soundscape of modern country originals.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

"I hear commanders, ... leaders, ... chiefs, 1st sergeants say all the time that one of their strengths is the ability to have tough conversations ... Well now is the time to prove it."
An important chat by two leaders & universally applicable. We should all be uncomfortable.

[U.S. Air Force @usairforce]

Message to Airmen:
Join CSAF @GenDaveGoldfein and @cmsaf18 in a conversation about race, the Air Force, and acknowledging change that we must achieve.

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Critiquing policies good / bad is one thing. Character itself is a core of being. I have wondered why some of my friends across the pond who I respect can excuse this behaviour they wouldn't tolerate w/ anybody else. Character is / was part of the appeal of "the American idea".

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Cheers to trust & good governance among others!

@fundforpeace #FragileStatesIndex 2020 Annual Report (link) says #Finland is the least failed state for the 10th year in a row.

& happiest according to the World Happiness Report - way to confuse a Finn...

https://t.co/HFtUFLWEnu

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Schuman himself was born in Luxembourg in 1886, to a Luxembourgian mother & French father w/ German citizenship due to annexed territory.

He was a kid "from" three of the six countries, and after the wars there too might be a personal tale of wanting to feel European unity. 4/4

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

On Saturday it's Europe Day. It's the 70th Anniversary of European integration and what would become the EU. On that day of May in 1950, Robert Schuman, the 63-year old French Foreign Minister, proposed a union of coal and steel in Europe to make war "materially impossible". 1/4

[Robert Eklund @robeekl]

Two years later, in 1952, six countries made the coal and steel union a reality.

Five years later, in 1957, the same countries created an economic union and many years later, in 1993, with many more countries aboard, that became the European Union. 3/4