Närvaro

Närvaro is a Swedish noun meaning the state or act of being present. It covers physical presence in a place as well as social or psychological presence — the impact a person’s presence can have in a situation. The opposite of närvaro is frånvaro (absence).

In education and employment, närvaro is commonly linked to attendance and participation. Schools often track students’ närvaro to assess engagement and compliance with schedules, while in workplaces närvaro can influence team dynamics, accountability, and performance evaluations. Policies typically specify minimum närvaro requirements for admission, progression, or certification.

Beyond physical presence, närvaro also describes presence of mind or attentiveness—the ability to be fully aware, listen actively, and engage in the moment. In leadership and communication, emphasising närvaro is seen as fostering trust and clarity.

Related concepts include frånvaro (absence) and uppmärksamhet (attention).