Arendal Week 2022: Ukraine and the refugee crisis – how should we respond?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered one of the fastest growing refugee crises since World War II. The Ukrainian is now flying in many places around the Nordic Region. 

Individuals, civil society, and civil servants are preparing to receive refugees from the war, and the will to help is strong. Among other things, the Norwegian government has proposed spending NOK 10.7 billion to enable the country’s municipalities to receive, settle, and monitor refugees from Ukraine. 

How should we respond to the new wave of refugees in terms of accepting them in the best possible way? What can we learn from 2015? And what can we learn from our Nordic neighbours when it comes to housing, language learning, acceptance of unaccompanied children, and children in general into families? 

Join us for a debate on the Nordic lessons from the refugee situation in 2015. Hear about how we can improve the reception structure by looking at what has been proven to work and what has not worked for our Nordic neighbours. During the debate, we’ll present a new research report which, among other things, looks at policy recommendations tailored to a Norwegian context. 

• Vilde Hernes, Researcher, NIBR/Oslo Met 
• Nancy Herz, Secretary of State, Norwegian Labour Party 
• Erika Lofgren, The UN Refugee Agency 
• Frode Forfang, Director, UDI
• Camilla Scharffscher Engeset, Special adviser, Redd Barna
• Guttorm Aanes, Head of communications, NordForsk

Moderator: André H. Jamholt, Nordic Council of Ministers 

Organiser: Nordic Council of Ministers