Björn Lundberg, Associate Professor of History at Lund University and coordinator of the LUCK focus area “Knowledge and Education,” has received funding from the Swedish Research Council for his project, Preparing children for war: Swedish preparedness education in transition 1945–2000. Building on his research at the intersection of the history of knowledge, education, and the history of childhood and youth, this project aims to deepen the understanding of Swedish preparedness education during the Cold War and the roles envisioned for children and youth in these efforts.

Previous research has shown that during World War II, Swedish schools played a key role in preparing young people for military service and civilian contributions to the ‘home front.’ Additionally, education for peace and international understanding became integral to postwar curricula. However, the continued significance of military and civil defense education throughout the Cold War has largely been overlooked.

This project will address the gap in educational history research by examining the roles assigned to children and youth in Swedish preparedness efforts from 1945 to 2000, the methods used to train young people, and the collaboration between schools and civil society organizations in this context.

Cold War civil defense education incorporated both theoretical and practical knowledge. This included understanding societal organization, military structure, and emergency protocols, as well as practical skills such as evacuation procedures, self-protection techniques, and the use of shelters. Beyond skills training, preparedness education aimed to cultivate specific emotional responses, preparing young people to face emergencies with calmness and resilience. Preparedness knowledge spanned multiple subjects, linking school curricula with civil defense training and positioning children as active contributors to national defense.

The four-year project will be conducted by a team of three researchers: Björn Lundberg from Lund University (PI), Professor Johan Samuelsson from Karlstad University, and Professor Esbjörn Larsson from Uppsala University.