Integration of cross-sectoral perspectives in the Nordic Council of Ministers
The Nordic Council of Ministers has a long tradition of working with the integration of the three cross-sectoral perspectives. These areas are key to delivering on the vision, which is why the Nordic Council of Ministers is taking a targeted and cross-sectoral approach to them. A cross-sectoral approach is achieved by integrating the three perspectives into the Nordic Council of Ministers’ projects and programme activities.
What does integration involve?
The Nordic Council of Ministers will integrate the cross-sectoral perspectives into project and programme activities by taking them into account in project design, implementation, and evaluation where relevant.
When writing the Nordic Council of Ministers’ project and programme description in connection with the design of projects and programmes, the cross-sectoral perspectives should be reflected on and explored by asking yourself a set of questions. The questions include asking yourself whether your work has an impact on the environment and climate, gender equality, or children and young people, and whether adjustments can be made in planning and implementing your project or programme in order to mitigate any negative impact and promote any positive effects.
Why is integration important?
The work of the Nordic Council of Ministers affects the lives of people in the Nordic Region. We pursue initiatives that make day-to-day life easier for those living in the Nordic countries, we bring Nordic stakeholders together so that they can learn from each other, and we produce knowledge and solutions that support the region’s development. It is therefore important that we ensure that our work is sustainable, gender-equal, inclusive, representative, and accessible.
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ aspirations for integration are based on and contribute to the Nordic countries’ international commitments relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These aspirations are also expressed in the fact that the Nordic Council of Ministers is one of the first organisations to bring together the three cross-sectoral perspectives in a single policy.
Where can I find support material for integration?
This guide is intended for those who work for or with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ secretariats, institutions, or offices. This guide contains a basic description of the three cross-sectoral perspectives and provides advice for analysing how the project/programme relates to the perspectives, and instructions on how to state this in the project/programme description.
To support integration efforts, an impact analysis tool has been developed that has been specially adapted for the Nordic Council of Ministers. An impact analysis is a systematic assessment designed to identify blind spots, overlooked opportunities, and unintended negative consequences of a given initiative. The tool is primarily a learning tool that invites reflection and works best when used as part of a collaboration and when the questions are answered based on a dialogue between colleagues.
This is your guide to creating professional meetings, conferences, and events, both digital and physical, that are more sustainable and accessible. With 10 guiding principles and several practical tips in 14 key areas, the guide shows where you can make environmentally friendly and inclusive decisions.
The aim of integrating a children’s rights and youth perspective to a greater extent comes with a responsibility to ensure that this work is done based on a number of guiding principles, with a common minimum level of child and youth involvement, and above all in a way that protects children’s safety. This document is relevant for all situations where children and young people are contacted or involved as part of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ activities.
