They are awarded the Swedish Defence University's first medals of merit

Peter Egardt, Claes Tornberg, Christina Malm and Joakim Paasikivi are the first to receive the Swedish Defence University's Medal of Merit. The medalists are honoured at the university's first academic ceremony on November 22, 2024.

The Swedish Defence University has established gold and silver medals of merit to recognize individuals for meritorious services to the institution. The first medals will be awarded in 2024. The gold medal is awarded to the institution's former board chairman, Peter Egardt, and the Swedish Defence University's former rector, Claes Tornberg. Both are honored for their contributions to the development of the Swedish Defence University into a fully accredited institution with degree-granting authority at all levels.

The Silver Medal is awarded to the Director-General of the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency, Christina Malm, who is honoured for her significant contributions to the growth of total defence, and to Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi, a former teacher of military strategy at the Swedish Defence University, who is recognised for extraordinary contributions as a military expert commentator in the media.

Gold Medal of Merit

Peter Egardt

The previous governor and public official Peter Egardt is awarded the Swedish Defence University’s Gold Medal of Merit for his significant contribution towards the realisation of a university with degree-awarding powers at all academic levels.

Peter Egardt joined as Chairperson of the Board in 2010 when the Swedish Defence University had been established. This was a time when centuries of military traditions of officer training met with equally wellestablished academic traditions that required strong leadership and a clear vision in order to develop the Swedish Defence University’s identity.

As Chairperson, Peter Egardt together with the Vice-Chancellor at the time, Romulo Enmark, set a clear direction and realised the vision the Swedish Defence University would be a seat of learning with degree-awarding powers at all academic levels. With tremendous knowledge and great experience Peter Egardt guided the university towards this goal, which was achieved in 2018 when the Swedish Higher Education Authority awarded the Swedish Defence University full degree-awarding powers in the fields of defence, crisis management and security. Peter Egardt has thus played a decisive role in developing the Swedish Defence University into a modern university

Claes Tornberg

The previous head of the Swedish Defence University, former Rear Admiral Claes Tornberg is awarded the Swedish Defence University’s Gold Medal of Merit for his significant efforts to enhance the academic depth of the officer profession and in developing the
modern Swedish Defence University.

Already in 1991 during his tenure as Head of the Military Academy, Tornberg, together with the Chief of Defence of the Swedish Armed Forces at the time, Bengt Gustafsson, launched the idea of a total defence university for education of both military and civil leaders and experts. A first step on this journey was to establish research at the Military Academy and its first professors were appointed in 1996. At the same time, the Chief of Defence’s doctoral programme was
established.

When the previous Swedish Defence University was merged with the Military Academy in 1997, Tornberg was appointed its first Vice-Chancellor. With his visionary leadership and strong engagement, Tornberg lay the foundation for the Swedish Defence University, which since 2008 is a university that acts as the academic core and meeting
place for total defence.

Silver Medal of Merit

Christina Malm

Director General Christina Malm is awarded the Swedish Defence University’s Silver Medal of Merit for her considerable efforts in promoting the growth of total defence and among these the Swedish
Defence University’s opportunities to recruit more students to the Officers’ Programme.

In her assignment as Director General of the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency, Christina Malm has been an untiring advocate for Sweden’s reintroduction of general conscription.
She possesses great knowledge in this field, a major interest in total defence, which includes the Swedish Defence University’s role in this context.

Christina Malm has been a much appreciated partner to the Swedish Defence University. Through her solution-oriented and persevering leadership, she has accomplished the decisive and rapid growth of
the Swedish Defence Conscription and Assessment Agency in order to meet the Swedish Defence University’s and the entire total defence’s need for qualified screening and wartime posting.
Christina Malm has made a significant contribution to the supply of competent staff in the realm of total defence.

Joakim Paasikivi

Lieutenant Colonel (RET) Joakim Paasikivi is bestowed the Swedish Defence University’s Silver Medal of Merit for his extraordinary work as military expert commentator in media in conjunction with Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.

With great integrity and a strong personal engagement Paasikivi has tirelessly explained the war in both Swedish and international media. He has made himself available for media interviews and as speaker to NGOs, military units, businesses, colleagues and students in an extraordinary generous manner.

Joakim Paasikivi has an exceptionally good ability to straightforwardly and clearly share his knowledge and experience. Through his appearances, he has elucidated complex news stories to the Swedish
public and through his frequent presence become “Paasikivi” with the entire Swedish population.