Ivar Kristiansen MP (Cons. Nor.) will chair Nordic Co-operation on Disability in 2006."The aim of Nordic Co-operation on Disability (NCD) is to make sure that equality for Nordic citizens with disabilities remains high on the Nordic agenda. The Nordic Council of Ministers adopted an overall disability policy for the first time last autumn. It stipulates that a disabled perspective is expected to permeate and be visible in all of the activities under the auspices of the Council of Ministers. It is a binding commitment. The time has come to move from words to action and NCD will play a proactive role,” he said.

NCD's new strategy 2006-2008 emphasises its two main functions - to generate policy and to act as an advisory body to the Nordic Council of Ministers.

In policy terms NCD will initiate projects and other measures in the following priority areas:

• Democracy for all – about opportunities for and barriers to political participation in for all.

• Children and young people – focusing on the transition from education and training to work.

• Anti-discrimination legislation– different choices in the Nordic countries.

In its advisory capacity, NCD will attempt to exert greater influence on the political processes in the Nordic Council of Ministers 2006-2008. For example, NCD is supporting Design for All as a guiding principle in the Nordic Council of Ministers' work towards sustainable social development. Another example is that NCD will co-operate with the country that holds the the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers (in 2006 it is Norway) in order to focus on areas of relevance to people with disabilities.