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nordic co-operation Nordic Nordic Co-operation nordic co-operation Nordic Co-operation © of Ministers, 2011

ANP 2010:792 ISBN 978-92-893-2179-2 Redaktion: Klaus Munch Haagensen, PUB/Communications Department Layout: Jette Koefoed, PUB/Communications Department Translation: Tam McTurk Cover photo: Karin Beate Nøsterud Copies: 5000 Print: Arco Grafisk, Skive

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MILJØMÆ K R IS K D N I R N

O G

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541 006 Tryksag

Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Ved Stranden 18 Ved Stranden 18 DK-1061 Copenhagen K DK-1061 Copenhagen K Phone (+45) 3396 0200 Phone (+45) 3396 0400

www.norden.org

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Affinity Education, research and innovation Climate, environment and energy and culture International commitment nordic co-operation

FACTS

Formal co-operation between the is one of the oldest forms of multilateral political partnership anywhere in the world. Rooted in the geographical, historical and cultural affinity between the five Nordic countries (Denmark, , , and ) and three autonomous territories (, the and Åland), it is one of the most comprehensive and popular forms of regional part- nership in the world.

The work of the Council and of the Council of Ministers revolves around a common understanding of democracy and shared social values.

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The unique Nordic welfare model is issues serve as the foundation for MPs spearhead the work, which based on cultural affinity and on a the strong international commit- is funded by taxes from Denmark, set of shared values, which it is our ment shown by both the Nordic Finland, Iceland, Norway and Swe- duty to uphold. The prime ministers Council and the Nordic Council of den. The autonomous territories have reasserted a strong desire to Ministers. (Greenland, the Faroe Islands and maintain this affinity and to further Åland) also play an important part. enhance it in the globalised econo- Working together does not just put Official co-operation costs approx. my. They hold regular meetings with core Nordic values on the inter- DKK 35.00 per citizen p.a. MPs from throughout the national agenda, it also helps to to discuss how their countries can make the Region more visible and The work of the Council and of best respond to the challenges highlights the unique nature of our the Council of Ministers revolves posed by globalisation and benefit partnership, which provides ben- around a common understanding from the potential it offers. efits for citizens and users – both in of democracy and shared social the Region and beyond. values, which help to maintain and The PMs have put their political foster dynamic development, to pro- weight behind a closer focus on Inter-governmental co-operation is mote freedom of movement and to Nordic partnerships. The main prior- the remit of the Council of Ministers, enhance skills, competitiveness and ities are: climate, environment and inter-parliamentary work the remit cohesion throughout the Region. energy; education and research; of the Nordic Council. The ministers and welfare and culture. These core for Nordic co-operation and elected

Halldór Ásgrímsson Jan-Erik Enestam Sectretary General Director Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council mobility for researchers and raising and raising researchers for mobility European in profile the Region’s partnerships. research Innovation glo- Nordic for priority The main the strengthen to is work balisation competitiveness. global countries’ publications Ministers’ of Council Monitor Innovation Nordic include Barom- Globalisation and Nordic the countries how show which eter, economy. in the global faring are and the both the Council In general, to endeavour Ministers of Council en- for conditions growth improve efforts through mainly trepreneurs, in movement of freedom promote to Supporting user-driven the Region. priority. another top is innovation coun- the Nordic On the whole, both the that ensure to strive tries are sectors and business education – by the future for well-positioned and discuss- information swapping benchmarking experiences, ing performances others’ each against initiatives collective and launching and activities. Broad-based co-operation on re- co-operation Broad-based Top-level the Nordic includes search the largest-ever Initiative, Research programme and innovation research the involves which in the Region, research, Nordic of elements best the search in and industry business environmental climate, global for of The first solutions. and energy the under programmes of a series com- initiative this of auspices 2010. in menced the Council for Other priorities – e-science include Ministers of the being example one tangible power computing of optimisation – greater networks fibre-optic via Research the other Nordic and Baltic coun- and Baltic the other Nordic has Ministers of The Council tries. Masters the Nordic launched also links which Programme, coun- three least at from courses elite of the creation facilitating tries, not would that programmes study be available. otherwise in anywhere study to The freedom which an achievement the Region, education a joint helped create has of flow the free and facilitate area the countries, between knowledge co- of outcome very tangible one is operation.

From primary school to to school primary From on education co-operation Nordic creativity, on promoting focuses and entrepreneurship, innovation rates. retention and on improving Council the Nordic for One priority is Committee & Education Culture creative of the importance stress to Min- of the Council while subjects, initiatives of on a range works isters university to school primary from level. the runs Ministers of The Council Nord- programme educational the Baltic covers also which plus, Nordplus year, Each countries. schoolchil- of thousands provides the with and adults students dren, about more learn to opportunity of and culture the society, university Although the national education education the national Although and industry and business systems countries the Nordic differ, sectors spheres, in many together work experi- other’s each from learning includes collaboration This ences. and activi- projects joint for support reports and of the publication ties, The networks. of the establishment results achieve to aim is general would countries the individual that on accomplishing of be incapable their own. Education, research and innovation research Education,

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FACTS

Nordic Council The Nordic Council is the official inter-parliamentary body. Formed in 1952, it has 87 elected members from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as the three autonomous territories (Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland). The members are all national MPs nominated by the party groups in their home parliaments. There are no direct elections to the Council. It is run by a Presidium and convenes for an annual autumn meeting called the Session, which passes recom- mendations to the national gov- ernments. The ongoing political work is conducted in committees and party groups.

The right to study in other Nordic countries is a prime example of the benefits of co-operation.

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In the longer term, several several term, In the longer countries the Nordic of themselves free aim to on fossil dependency from compromis- without fuels or living of standards ing competitiveness. - FACTS 10 “The High Contracting Parties shall shall Parties “The High Contracting develop and to maintain endeavour the Nordic between co-operation further andsocial cultural, the legal, in countries of those in as well as fields, economic - envi and communications and transport The High Contract protection. ronmental The Treaty: the cornerstone Treaty: The Helsinki official regulates The Denmark, Finland, between co-operation was It Sweden. and Norway Iceland, into came 1962 and on 23 March signed the of purpose 1962. The on 1 July force follows: as described is agreement consultations joint hold should Parties ing are which interest of common on matters - interna other and European with by dealt conferences.” and organisations tional nordic co-operation Ministers of Council Nordic the official is of Ministers The Council The prime body. inter-governmental for responsibility overall have ministers is responsibility this work. In practice, its co- Nordic for the ministers to delegated Co-operation the Nordic and operation the co-ordinates which Committee, the name, its work. Despite day-to-day founded was which of Ministers, Council councils. several of 1971, consists in times of couple a meet councils These them, 11 of are there At present, a year. ministers. the co-operation including of the Council by taken Decisions be unanimous. must IndividualMinisters and processed prepared, are cases of committees various up by followed states. the member from officials senior nordic co-operation

Climate, environment and energy

The Nordic countries have a long have been important areas ity market to be one of the best in and fruitful tradition of working to- for collaboration, but activities now the world. gether on climate, environment and extend beyond Nordic frontiers. energy issues. The Council and the Climate change Council of Ministers both prioritise Several of the globalisation initia- The Nordic countries assume a great these areas strongly. The climate, tives address environmental and deal of responsibility in the global the environment and energy are energy issues. Indeed, working fight against climate change, espe- intersectoral issues that permeate on these issues is the very raison cially for the ongoing work under UN work in other sectors, e.g. research d’être of many Nordic institu- auspices. Co-operation also takes and innovation. tions, e.g. the Nordic Environment more direct forms, e.g. the Nordic Finance Corporation (NEFCO), Nord- Development Fund (NDF), which Ambitious targets Forsk, Nordic Energy Research, the funds green projects in the poorest In the longer term, several of the Nordic Innovation Centre and the countries, e.g. in and . countries aim to free themselves Nordic Development Fund. from dependency on fossil fuels without compromising standards The Swan of living or competitiveness. Green One of environmental co-opera- growth, energy efficiency and ambi- tion’s flagship projects is the Swan tious climate targets combine to Ecolabel, which makes it easier for keep the Region at the forefront of consumers to choose environmen- sustainable development. tally friendly products. Launched in 1989, the label now appears on Partnerships in this sphere have nearly 70 product groups and some produced solid results not only at 6,000 different products and serv- national level but also regionally ices – from paper and detergents and globally, e.g. through the EU to toys, hotels and biofuels. and UN. The focus is on combating climate change and air pollution; The electricity market making energy supply and the The harmonisation of the Nordic transport sector more efficient; electricity market is another real-life developing new forms of energy; example of a successful partner- regulating the use and emission of ship. Work is fully underway and hazardous chemicals; protecting is already a shining example of marine ecosystems; and preserv- how to create added value through ing biological diversity. For obvious cross-border collaboration. Many reasons, the and the experts consider the Nordic electric-

11 driven by creativity, knowledge and knowledge creativity, by driven takes it what has The Region talent. in the role global a leading play to industries. creative of development the serves as project The KreaNord on the new experience work for focus economy. leader a world also is The Region and democracy to comes when it made The contribution dialogue. on co-operation Nordic official by dialogue, international to culture the within dialogue as well as play to continue will itself, Region in the interaction role an important and in cultures different between values. Nordic core of the profiling - Culture - com the main one of is Culture and has co-operation, of ponents the between a bridge as acted long understanding improving countries, and peoples the neighbouring of values. shared - minis the culture years, In recent modernised significantly have ters co-operation, for the structure open, transparent more it making the face to ready and and flexible, globalisation. by posed challenges for vision a clear have The ministers Nordic of “The objective the future: preserve, to is co-operation cultural quality, and showcase encourage a part of as and diversity creativity sphere.” cultural and global healthy art making entails this In practice, on the visible more and culture glo- first The ministers’ stage. global already have initiatives balisation attention, international attracted film in Nordic of the profiling e.g. landscape in 2009; Nordic Toronto Shang Expo 2010 in at architecture hai; and literature in Paris in 2011. in Paris and literature hai; good enjoy countries The Nordic new in film, music, reputations and architecture literature, media, a long have all that – areas design and are in the Region tradition - dic welfare model and the and model welfare dic welfare (getting more people into people more (getting welfare The welfare model and core core and model The welfare values sector health and in the social Work that values on the common based is the Nordic for the foundation form rights, equal – i.e. model welfare solidar social opportunities, equal all. for security social and ity have the countries decades, For policies, welfare proactive pursued and formal conventions through e.g. partnerships informal as well as and bodies public-sector between the a result, As providers. service high a enjoy the Region of people Nordic on core based service of level and values. principles on collaboration of A prime example - the globalisa is challenges global and welfare on health tion initiative focus sub-projects Seven issues. (a healthy 1) health themes: on two of life); and quality and workforce 2) socialand enhancement work, skills inclusion). Welfare and culture Welfare cultural affinity in the Region areRegion in the affinity cultural the Further developing both unique. global with cope to model welfare that maintaining while competition, anis cohesion, and very affinity co-operation. of aspect important The Nor

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Nordic institutions In addition to the Council and the Council of Ministers, there are more than 20 official Nordic institutions – and about the same number of unofficial ones. The Nordic In- novation Centre (NICe), NordForsk, Nordic Culture Point, Nordic Project Fund (NOPEF), the Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues and the Nordic School of Public Health (NHV) are full Nordic institutions, as are the Nordic houses in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. One of the main institutions in the second cat- egory is the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), which has been jointly owned by the five Nordic and three since 2005. Another key organisation is the Nordic Cultural Fund, which supports culture in the Region as well as Nordic projects The objective of Nordic cultural co-operation elsewhere in the world. is to preserve, encourage and showcase quality, creativity and diversity as part of a The Swan Ecolabel healthy and global cultural sphere. The Swan is the official Nordic eco-label. The aim is a voluntary Nordic label that helps reduce the environmental impact of everyday consumption. The Swan certifies goods and services based on their environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, from raw material to waste. As well as strict climatic and environmental criteria, require- ments are also placed on function and quality. The vision is of a sus- tainable society based on sustain- able consumption.

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Partnerships are forged with individual countries FACTS and international stake- holders at parliamentary and governmental level Funding programmes Nordic co-operation includes a num- in areas of common ber of funding schemes, for people and for businesses, covering a wide interest. range of interests. One example is Nordplus, a framework programme for lifelong learning, in which the Baltic countries also take part. More than 10,000 people in the Nordic Region benefit from the programme each year. Nordplus funds, e.g. school visits between Nordic coun- tries, development projects and the establishment of networks. Another example is the Council of Ministers’ Arts and Culture Programme, which supports, e.g. production and skills enhancement in all art forms.

Nordic Council Prizes The Nordic Council awards annual prizes in literature, music, and film to promote Nordic culture, and in nature and the environment to honour people or organisations for displaying particular initiative. The prizes are worth DKK 350,000 each.

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International commitment

From and the North Atlantic another example of positive col- helped to create a unique neutral in the west to the Baltic and laboration with the Baltic states platform for debate between op- in the east – the Nordic Region has and Russia. This work also involves position politicians and representa- wide-ranging international commit- other countries around the sea. tives of the ruling party in Belarus. ments, including partnerships with Formal forums include bodies such individual countries and interna- as the Baltic Sea Parliamentary The Arctic tional stakeholders at parliamentary Conference (BSPC). A great deal of the land mass and and governmental level in areas of waters of the Nordic Region are in common interest. One of the reasons for working with the Arctic. Protecting the vulner- Russia is to promote democracy, able Arctic environment, improving The Baltic states and Russia open up pluralistic interrelation- living conditions and supporting In 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, ships across borders, and create indigenous people’s social and the Nordic Council forged official conditions for economic partner- cultural development are top priori- relations with the parliaments of ships and trade. The Council of ties. The Region has joined forces , and . In Ministers has also set up offices with Canada, which also has a large 1991, the Council of Ministers and contact centres in Russia, which Arctic area, to improve international opened offices in the capitals of the play an important role in projects understanding of the challenges three Baltic states. Nowadays, the involving local and regional Russian faced by its people. collaboration is formalised to the stakeholders. extent that a range of ministers from the Nordic and Baltic countries meet Belarus every two years to discuss matters The Nordic countries are commit- of common interest. ted to democracy in Belarus. For example, the Region helps provide Human trafficking is one example young Belarusians with access to of a joint challenge on which the higher education by working with Nordic countries, Estonia, Latvia, the EU Commission to support the Lithuania and Russia all work Belarusian university in exile, the together. The foundation was laid in European Humanities University 2001, when the Council of Ministers (EHU) in , Lithuania. EHU initiated the successful Nordic–Bal- gives approx. 1,500 young Bela- tic Campaign against Trafficking in rusians access to humanities and Women. social-science programmes where they enjoy full academic freedom. Efforts to improve the marine The Nordic Region, working hand in environment in the Baltic Sea are hand with the Baltic states, has also

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Useful websites

Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers www.norden.org Nordic Cultural Fund www.nordiskkulturfond.org Hello Norden www.hallonorden.org Nordic eTax www.nordisketax.net The NORDPLUS Framework Programme www.nordplusonline.org Nordic Investment Bank www.nib.int NordGen www.nordgen.org NordForsk www.nordforsk.org Nordregio www.nordregio.se Nordic Innovation Centre www.nordicinnovation.net Nordic Gender Institute www.nikk.no Nordic Project Fund www.nopef.com Nordic Environment Finance Corporation www.nefco.fi Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Estonia www.norden.ee Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia www.norden.lv Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Lithuania www.norden.lt Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in St. Petersburg www.norden.ru Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Kaliningrad www.norden39.ru Nordic House in Reykjavík www.nordice.is Nordic House in the Faroe Islands www.nlh.fo Nordic Institute in Finland www.nifin.helsinki.fi Nordic Institution in Greenland www.napa.gl Nordic Institute on Åland www.nipa.ax

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ANP 2010:792 20 ISBN 978-92-893-2179-2