Watchdog and important partner

It’s important for the Nordic Council of Ministers that the voice of civil society is heard to ensure that the work on Our Vision 2030 is transparent, relevant and effective.

The network started its work in September and the first meeting was also attended by Thomas Blomqvist, Finland’s Minister for Nordic Co-operation and Equality, and Paula Lehtomäki, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

“The Nordic Council of Ministers wishes to strengthen civil society’s voice and participation in Nordic co-operation by way of establishing a Nordic civil society network. It’s important that civil society is heard and actively involved, and that politicians allow this input to influence the decisions adopted in Nordic co-operation,” says Paula Lehtomäki.

The Swedish organisation Global Utmaning (Global Challenge) has been tasked with co-ordinating the Nordic civil society network. Global Utmaning is an independent think tank that works on sustainable development from a social, economic, and climate perspective. Members of the civil society network will themselves define how they’d like to co-operate with each other and the Nordic Council of Ministers.

“The civil society network presents a unique opportunity to establish contacts within and between the Nordic countries, and allow civil society to have a clearer role in the transformation of the Nordic Region into the world’s most sustainable and integrated region. As co-ordinator, our ambition is for the civil society network to become an independent association of Nordic organisations that together scrutinise, inspire and challenge the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers. By promoting meaningful exchanges, the network’s members will also establish a hotbed for future initiatives and co-operation that contribute to the Nordic Region’s sustainable transformation,” says Joel Ahlgren, co-ordinator of the civil society network Global Utmaning.

The composition of the civil society network reflects the Nordic Council of Ministers’ emphasis on covering as many areas as possible.

“Co-operation is a sign of strength. A Nordic civil society network through the Nordic Council of Ministers has long been a desire of Nordic engineering organisations. We see the network as an important platform for sharing knowledge, influencing political decisions and developing new ideas. Engineers play an essential role in the Nordic approach to achieving the global sustainable development goals and within the ambitious “Our Vision 2030”. “We know that the best solutions are created together in a Nordic partnership,” says Inese Podgaiska, Secretary General, Association of Nordic Engineers.

The organisations span all parts of the society with green, competitive and socially sustainable areas as the recurring themes. 

“In the Nordic Region, we have a tradition of constructive co-operation between civil society and governments. That’s why we at LGBT+ Denmark are very excited that the Nordic Council of Ministers is strengthening this tradition at the Nordic level. Our experience is that the best and most stable solutions are created when we work together across interests and organisations. We are pleased to have been consulted and are proud to represent the Nordic LGBT+ population in the network, as well as in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers,” says Andreas Nielsen, Chief Political Adviser, LGBT+ Denmark.