Join us on Nordic Day, 23 March, for the launch of the report State of the Nordic Region. At the event, we will present our findings on how the Nordic Region fared during the pandemic in terms of economics, demographics and the labour market.

The COVID-19 crisis was a major challenge for Nordic co-operation. All the Nordic countries adopted an inward-looking, state-centric approach, rather than a collective and coordinated transnational response to the crisis. This particularly affected cross-border regions, where abrupt border closures and restrictions exacerbated the impact of the pandemic for families, friends and businesses.

So where do we go from here? While the pandemic exposed some weaknesses and vulnerabilities in Nordic co-operation, it also serves as a reminder of its advantages, particularly the benefits of cross-border freedom of movement for local economies, labour markets and people.

Are we seeing increasing interest in Nordic co-operation? How will the governments respond to the wishes of their people? And where do we go from here?

The pandemic offers an opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate the nature of Nordic co-operation . On Nordic Day, 23 March, a panel of Nordic experts will do just that.

Panel discussion The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion based on the insights from the report.

 

Keynote speakers

· Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian Minister for Nordic Co-operation

· Gustaf Norlén, editor and author

Panel

· Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norwegian Minister for Nordic Co-operation

· Rasmus Jungersen Emborg, President of the Nordic Youth Council

· Helge Orten, Vice Chair of the Norwegian delegation to the Nordic Council

· Gustaf Norlén, Senior Cartographer, Nordregio

Moderated by Hilde Sandvik, journalist and host of the podcast “Norsken, svensken og dansken”