The Ordinary Session and the Theme Session

The Ordinary Session is held in the autumn, usually at the end of October or beginning of November. The Theme Session, which is a smaller version of the Ordinary Session, is held in the spring.

The Sessions are the highest decision-making body for Nordic parliamentary co-operation. They are a unique form for regional co-operation which are attended by Nordic MPs, who are members of the Council, and by Nordic government ministers. They all take part in the debates on important questions for Nordic co-operation, but the right to vote is restricted to the parliamentary members.

Within the last couple of years guests from other international and Nordic organisations have been able to take part in the debates at the Sessions. Visitors from the Baltic States and Northwest Russia are those who mostly take the greatest advantage of this opportunity. Guests who have a connection to the theme under discussion are invited to the Theme Session. 

Rotating host country

The Nordic country which holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council is the host of the Ordinary Session which is held in that country's parliament building, except in Iceland where the parliamentary building is not big enough. The Theme Session is held in the country which holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

At the beginning of the Ordinary Session, the prime ministers give an account on the plans for Nordic inter-governmental co-operation in the coming year. The prime minister for the country which will hold the Presidency of the inter-governmental co-operation in the coming year is responsible for this report.

Usually all of the Nordic prime ministers attend and take part in the subsequent debate with the parliamentarians.

Foreign, defence and other ministers at the Session

The foreign and defence ministers also give a report on Nordic co-operation in their areas. These are also discussed with the politicians.

Which other ministers take part depends on the policy areas under discussion. This, in turn, is determined by which proposals the members of the Nordic Council present during the year, and what it has been agreed will be decided on at the Session.

The proposals approved by the Session are sent to the Nordic Council of Ministers or to the Nordic government for implementation.

The Nordic ministers for co-operation attend during the whole Ordinary Session and hold a question time, which is much appreciated, at which the parliamentarians can raise all kinds of questions which affect Nordic co-operation.

Presidential election

The President and Vice-President for Nordic parliamentary co-operation are elected for the coming year at the Ordinary Session.

The members of the Council's Presidium (the political leadership of the Nordic Council and the highest decision-making body between Sessions) as well as members of the various committees for policy questions are also elected at the Ordinary Session.

Nordic prizes are awarded

The Nordic Council Prizes in literature, music, film and for nature and the environment are awarded during the Ordinary Session. This usually takes place during a festive and formal evening event. In the spring of 2012 the Nordic Council Literature Prize was announced and awarded in conjunction with the Theme Session.

Nordic Summit

Taking advantage of the fact that almost all Nordic politicians are gathered in one place, a number of other meetings are held in conjunction with the Session. Since 2006 the Session has started, for example, with a Nordic Summit when the prime ministers and MPs discuss burning questions such as globalisation and the climate threat.

Nordic Youth Council opens

The coming generation of Nordic politicians in the Nordic Youth Council have their own Session just before the Ordinary Session when they take up their position on proposals for Nordic co-operation. The youth representatives pursue these issues at the Nordic Council Session where they have the opportunity of speaking, taking part in discussions and making proposals.

Meetings with other politicians

The Nordic MPs usually meet with their colleagues from the Baltic Assembly, which is the parliamentary assembly for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, with Russian parliamentarians and with parliamentarians who represent co-operative bodies from other regions in Europe.

Press conferences and seminars

During the Session press conferences, lunch seminars and meetings are arranged with organisations such as the Norden Association. There are normally also opportunities for informal networking during the evenings.