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Sustainability hurts

Politicians want growth, the people want moderation. This is the case if you believe the participants at the large Nordic sustainability conference "Solutions" which is being held in Turku, Finland until 2 February. The Swedish Minister of Trade, Ewa Björling, emphasized that sales of green free trade and export of welfare solutions are the way forward for the Nordic countries.

Jan 31, 2011
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Investment or moderation. Innovation or shortages. What is the way to sustainable development? This is being discussed at the Nordic sustainability conference "Solutions - locally, together" from 31 Jan to 2 Feb in Turku, Finland.

Photographer
Sigurður Ólafsson/norden.org

The Nordic ministers for co-operation were challenged at the opening of the Nordic Conference for Sustainable Development in the Baltic Sea Region "Solutions - local, together" which is bringing together over 500 participants, largely from local authorities in the Nordic countries.

Through a number of votes, it was determined that these unofficial representatives of the Nordic countries consider that the Nordic welfare model is good, but not sustainable enough.

The participants called for adapting the economy in a more sustainable and socially responsible direction, and not least by reducing consumption instead of focusing on innovation and increased growth - even if that hurts.

The ministers, on the other hand, did not see any contradictions between growth and sustainability. Green growth is the way forward, both to ensure welfare in the Nordic countries and for optimal placement of the region in the global race.

Finland's Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Jan Vapaavuori, also stated clearly that one does not have to travel round the world to find inspiration for creating sustainable solutions - it can all be found here, locally, in the Nordic region.

And many of these solutions are ideal exports.

The Nordic region is ahead of the game, not least when it comes to holistic thinking and thorough planning, the minister pointed out.

... it can all be found here, locally, in the Nordic region

At the opening of the conference, the Mayor of Malmö, Ilmar Reepalu, gave a living example of a city which has turned challenges into opportunities by transforming a dying industrial area into a creative centre of growth.

This has happened, amongst other things, by thinking in sustainable solutions in everything from water and energy supplies to housing development, waste management and plans for public space.

”Nordic welfare solutions are ideal exports. Not least environmental technology and products from the health sector are at the forefront. We must think in smart solutions and turn problems into opportunities, such as, for example, using waste as a source of energy instead of seeing it as a refuse problem", said the Minister of Trade and Nordic Co-operation, Ewa Björling, amongst other things, during the debate, in which she also advocated that the Nordic region should promote green free trade at international level.

Judging by today's interactive votes amongst the participants, their sentiments are just as much for savings as they are for investment.

However, all parties at the opening debate were in agreement on one thing: Education is the way forward and we cannot get around having to change a number of habits in a more sustainable direction.

This demands not least local solutions and co-operation across the region and nationally. This is the goal that the conference "Solutions - local, together" will focus on in the next few days.

Contacts

Michael Funch
Phone +45 33960332
Email mifu@norden.org

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