Lotta Persson has spent much of her career shaping social services in Sweden and across Europe. As Social Director at Botkyrka Municipality for nearly two decades, and later as a Board Member of both the Swedish Association of Social Services Directors and the European Social Network, she has long been engaged in the sector.

The Swedish Association of Social Services Directors is an independent organisation bringing together around 500 leaders from Sweden’s social services and welfare sector. As one of the founding members of ESN, it played an active role in shaping the network’s mission and work. “We followed ESN’s international activities closely”, recalls Lotta. 

“The international perspective on social services was always on the agenda”.

Through her involvement with the Swedish Association and ESN, Lotta took part in many conferences and study visits across Europe. “We travelled every year to learn from others and plan for our own work,” she explains. “We visited members in cities like Paris, Rome, and Budapest, among others. These exchanges gave us a broader perspective on social work. We learnt a lot from others”. 

In this regard, Lotta highlights the key role of Lars-Göran Jansson, former Secretary of the Swedish Association and former Chair of ESN. “He was a strong voice within ESN, and he had a large personal network. He always encouraged us to attend ESN events and connect with peers in Europe”, she explains. 

Looking back, Lotta values how ESN broadened her professional and personal horizons, thanks to the opportunity of learning from other countries’ views and initiatives. ”We visited other ESN members in order to see how they worked and what was going on. Internationalisation opened new possibilities”.  As these opportunities impacted her work at the Botkyrka Municipality, her experience illustrates how international collaboration can strengthen local practice.

Lotta stepped down from her positions in 2013. Since then, the network has further developed. While ESN counted with 76 members in 2010, it now brings together almost 190 organisations across Europe. 

“It’s fantastic that so many organisations in social welfare see the value of international cooperation,” she reflects. “Cooperation helps them do their work, and to develop it together with others”.

Photo of the ESN Board, including Lotta Persson, within ESN’s Annual Review for 2011, here.

Learn more about the history of the European Social Network at our dedicated 25 Years of ESN page.