'Hej Främling!,' which translates into 'Hello Stranger!,' is a Swedish run club for refugees. With many European countries facing the task of integrating refugees into existing communities, this initiative demonstrates that physical activity can be a great way to bring people together.
Hej Främling! was founded by Emma Arnesson and Anne Lundberg, who originally began volunteering to help refugees learn to cross-country ski. After noticing how sport and social activity helped asylum-seekers adjust to their new life in Sweden, Arnesson and Lundberg decided to team up with Christine Hagglund to start a running club. The club currently has about 40 regular runners and its success has spurred similar clubs in other parts of the country.
The project has not only helps refugees stay fit and active, but more importantly, it has fostered a bond between Swedish citizens and asylum-seekers from countries all over the world.
Refugee Run Clubs
The 'Hej Främling!' Run Club Helps Refugees in Sweden Connect
Trend Themes
1. Integration Through Physical Activity - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop fitness programs and clubs specifically designed to help refugees integrate into their new communities.
2. Community Building Through Sports - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create sports initiatives that bring together different groups of people, fostering connections and understanding.
3. Sport as an Integration Tool - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of sports as a means to facilitate the integration of refugees and asylum-seekers into society.
Industry Implications
1. Fitness and Wellness - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop tailored fitness solutions and programs specifically targeted towards refugees and asylum-seekers.
2. Community Engagement - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create platforms and initiatives that encourage community engagement through sports and physical activities.
3. Social Integration - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design strategies and programs to facilitate social integration of refugees and asylum-seekers through sports and fitness activities.