Luleo city authorities, located in northern Sweden, implement an initiative called "Sang Hej!), Aimed at reducing social isolation and promoting more friendly relationships between residents.
In Luleo, where it is very cold in winter and the daylight is reduced to three hours, people actively respond to cold call with a variety of winter entertainment, such as ice swimming and skiing. However, the problem of loneliness remains relevant, in particular among young people aged 16 to 29, where 45% of people note the problems with loneliness.
The Covid-19 pandemic emphasized this problem, forcing people to adhere to a social distance. Professor Mikael Dalen, who studies happiness and well -being, points to the general trends of isolation in our modern lifestyle, which are exacerbated in winter.
The Initiative "Say Hi" was suggested by a municipality worker Luleo ASA Kosky, who assures that the greeting leads to a sense of visibility and has a positive effect on health and willingness to help each other. The campaign is actively advertised on buses and conducts workshops in schools, receiving a positive response from residents who believe that such initiatives contribute to friendliness and openness in society.
