Diamant Salihu and Jale Poljarevius join Kunskap För Livet 2026

The Faculty of Pharmacy is proud to welcome Diamant Salihu and Jale Poljarevius to Kunskap För Livet 2026 at the Uppsala University Grand Auditorium. Diamant Salihu is an investigative reporter at Swedish Television and one of the most prominent voices covering organised crime in Sweden. For his widely recognised reporting and the books Tills alla dör and När ingen lyssnar, he has received multiple honours, including the Swedish Grand Journalism Prize, and has been nominated for European Journalist of the Year.

– During the 2020s, we have seen a development in which criminal networks have become more organised, violence more severe, and perpetrators increasingly younger. Uppsala has also been affected by acts of extreme violence that impact our entire city, not least young people growing up within this reality. At the same time, we know that change is possible through knowledge and by bringing together the positive forces in society. Diamant Salihu has a unique ability to explain and deepen our understanding of both the environments in which violence takes root and the people affected by it. It is therefore extremely valuable to bring about this meeting between Diamant and Uppsala’s high school students, says Dean Anja Sandström.

The students will also meet Jale Poljarevius, police and head of regional intelligence, who repeatedly demonstrates that society’s fight against organised crime is far from hopeless. For his sustained work, he has been awarded the title of “Safety Ambassador of the Year” and praised by former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven as a role model who “has seen it all, endured a great deal, yet never wavers”. Many also recognise Jale Poljarevius as an expert on TV3's Efterlyst. In November, it is Uppsala’s teens turn to gain first-hand insight into ongoing efforts to build a safer society.

– This will be the third time we are privileged to experience Jale’s reports at Kunskap För Livet. On both previous occasions, students and teachers were unanimous in one thing: Jale Poljarevius must return. We are therefore deeply grateful that he is once again prioritising participation at the Grand Auditorium, as we know how important it is for Uppsala’s teenagers to learn that change is possible, says Anja Sandström.

With Diamant Salihu and Jale Poljarevius, the programme for Kunskap För Livet 2026 is now nearing its final shape. On stage, they are joined by Elaine Eksvärd (rhetoric expert), Mårten Nylén (health and performance coach), Beata Kull (social entrepreneur), Christian Benedict (sleep researcher), Martin Fernström (educational programme host) and Mathias Hallberg (addiction researcher), all contributing to a shared exploration of pathways towards a sustainable lifestyle.

– We have been working intensively throughout the spring to design the best possible programme for Kunskap För Livet 2026. In addition to our already confirmed speakers, we are in dialogue with several highly interesting individuals whom we hope to announce shortly. The fact that the Grand Auditorium is already almost fully booked, with nearly 2,000 students and teachers registered, is both inspiring and a clear sign of the importance of these issues. Our ambition is clear: this year’s Kunskap För Livet will be our strongest edition to date, says Anja Sandström.

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Text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt a o