After being postponed twice due to Covid, the 3rd International Conference on Bowen Systems Theory was held at Sörbyn Lodge in Swedish Lapland, June 13-15, 2022. With a program title, Managing Relations in a Changing World: Bowen Systems Theory in Organizations, Families, and Communities, the conference included sessions on four tracks:

• Theory
• Organizations and leadership
• Social work
• Family

The conference was truly international with local speakers who give their talks in Swedish. There were a number of speakers from the Bowen Center and other network nodes in the United States. Alejandro Astorga from the University of Chile represented a growing interest in Bowen theory in the Spanish speaking world (although he delivered his talk in English). A large contingent from Estonia attended. Nearby Finland was also represented as was much more distant Australia.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a short film by Ann-Christine Haupt entitled Min Mormor och Jag (My Grandmother and I). The film provides a glimpse into the lives of the indigenous Simi people in Sweden. I was astonished at the parallels, in modern times to the plight of the native people in America. The Simi people are being driven from the land as reindeer habitats are being destroyed by logging activity (and climate change).

Sörbyn is quite remote. Getting there involved flying to Luleå, itself a city of under 50,000 and then renting a car or taking a taxi ride that was almost as costly as international airfare from the US! Nonetheless, the resort–primarily a fishing retreat was an idyllic location for the conference, other than the mosquitos. The photo above shows the lake right outside the conference venue which was a building that had once been used for community gatherings including dances. Sörbyn is actually a lively outpost for the study of Bowen theory and many local residents attended the conference. Being in such a location rather than the usual type of conference setting such as a nondescript provided a rich experience of place.

We also learned about the past, present, and future plans for that area of Sweden from the mayor of Boden. In the past, there was a strong military presence in the region due to the proximity to the Soviet Union. Although the need to build back some strength due to current Russian activity may emerge, current plans are to focus on green energy and industry including construction of a green steel plant that would use local ore for production. It is being in contact with this kind of information and the experience of place that makes travel such an unparalleled method for learning about other people and places.

The Conference

Audiovisual support at the conference was outstanding. All presentations were recorded and posted to YouTube, although you must have the link to view the recording. I have posted my presentation here. After the conference, I completed my plan to publish an article and Two Theorists on Work Systems is now available in the journal, Systems.

A Hiking Adventure

Following the meeting, a group of conference attendees who stayed an extra day to tour the area hiked in the nearby forest. Tatiana Rynbäck of Women Adventure Travel who graciously welcomed a man into our group was our guide. Tatiana is originally from Ecuador adding another international dimension to our experience.

While many local people commuted from home to the daily conference sessions, international travelers stayed at the lodge, either in cabins or a small hotel on the property. A chef from Atlanta with a passion for Scandinavian food prepared world class meals at the restaurant, Kallkällan (the Spring) during our stay. The menu included regional specialties such as reindeer, local fish from the many rivers and lakes in the area, and sauces made from wild berries. It was a little too chilly for a swim in the lake but we all agreed the little beach would be a lovely spot to spend a warm summer afternoon. The locals assured us that there would be some of those in August as well as snowy days for skiing in the winter.