About SWEA

SWEA, the Swedish Women's Educational Association Inc., is a global nonprofit association for Swedes and Swedish-speaking women who are or have been outside of Sweden. SWEA is both a meeting point and a network, with links all over the world that makes life abroad easier and provides support for emigration and return to Sweden. SWEA currently has about 7,000 members in 72 local branches in 34 countries on 5 continents.

SWEA's purpose is, among other things, to protect the Swedish language and to promote Swedish culture and traditions. SWEA supports education through scholarships and various projects with a Swedish connection.

SWEA is represented in many various areas throughout the world and is therefore an important part of the Swedish foreign affairs crisis plan.

SWEA Toronto was founded in 1982, as the first SWEA department outside the United States.

SWEA Toronto has about 160 members. Most of our members live in and around Toronto, but some of us live as far away as Ottawa, Sudbury and Barrie and even Sweden and Finland.

We have several different interest groups such as SWEA Central, SWEA West Book Club, SWEA North, SWEA East, SWEA Professional, The Taste Buds, Knit & Drink, Christmas Market Committee, SWEACare and SWEA Central Book Club. We hope to get SWEA Art up and running soon and also work on a Mamma + Barn group.

SWEA Toronto gives you the opportunity to meet new friends, and to celebrate Swedish traditions and we are there to support you through different stages of life. We are also at hand if you need advice or information about situations that arise when you live on two continents.

SWEA Toronto contributes approximately $ 30,000 in donations and scholarships each year. We support the Swedish Church, the Swedish School, the Folk Dancers and the Swedish Choir. We provide scholarships to Ontario students who have been accepted into Swedish universities ($ 20,000 - 2019). We promote Swedish-related cultural events in the area. We also collaborate with Business Sweden, the Swedish
Chamber of Commerce, the Consulate and more.

Our biggest source of income is the popular Christmas market (Swedish Christmas Fair) that we have organized for 38 years. The Swedish Christmas Fair offers thousands of visitors Swedish food, other products and Swedish traditions, such as Lucia. Swedes in the area can enjoy the Swedish food and traditions and Canadians can experience Swedish culture.