Major Challenges | Compared to other European countries, Norway is still considered as a homogenous society, resulting, inter alia, FROM Norway's geographic position as well as FROM very strict asylum and immigration policies. Major challenges relate to how to enter mainstream Norwegian society, job markets, etc. |
Main Interpretations | Mainstreaming of cultural diversity, integration on the basis of equal opportunities, rights and duties. |
Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion, Department of Integration and Diversity
(http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/aid.html?id=165)
Responsible for immigration and asylum policy as well as for policies towards the Sami people and other minorities.
Policies: The Norwegian Government aims at maximum integration of everyone who settles in Norway. In collaboration with municipalities and other authorities, UDI strives to promote integration through receptions centres, workplaces and other amenities in local communities. Basic documents are:
On the Internet, the policy principles of the Government are summed up as follows:
"The Government will promote a tolerant, multicultural society and combat racism. Diversity enriches our society. Rights, obligations and opportunities will be the same for all, regardless of ethnic background, gender, religion, sexual orientation or degree of functioning. Gender equality is also a precondition for an inclusive society. The government will combat discrimination, prejudice and racism in ORDER to give everyone the same opportunities for social participation. At the same time, we will make it clear that all inhabitants are obliged to participate, comply with the law and support the fundamental democratic values of our society."
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI)
(http://www.udi.no/default.aspx?id=2112)
Responsible for applications, immigration control and receiving asylum seekers.
EX:
Coordination-body of the Norwegian Year of Cultural Diversity 2008 (parallel to the EYID):
Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs
(http://www.kultureltmangfold.no/)
Strategy (in Norwegian) http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/kkd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20052006/Stmeld-nr-17-2005-2006-.html?id=200480
Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs
(http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kkd.html?id=545)
Supports a number of projects that focus on cultural diversity and minority groups.
Norwegian Council of Cultural Affairs
(http://www.kulturrad.no/)
Cultural Diversity was a priority funding area in 2002-2005, since then it has been mainstreamed and integrated INTO general funding programmes, with a special focus on children and youth projects.
EX: The Mosaikk programme (1998-2001) supported initiatives that a) promote and integrate multicultural expressions under previously established schemes in the fields of art and culture, b) enhance the opportunities for minorities to develop and participate in artistic and cultural life on their own terms.
Ministry of Education and Research
(http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kd.html?id=586)
EX: In the areas defined as Sàmi districts, education is provided in accordance with the special Sàmi curriculum. Relevant activities being funded: universities and colleges - for recruitment and motivation measures for young people with minority backgrounds; support for the development of a new course of study on multicultural understanding at the University of Oslo; to the Oslo University College for the dissemination of lessons adapted for the education of minority students.
Policies:
Directorate for Education and Training
(http://www.utdanningsdirektoratet.no/)
Executive agency of the Ministry above, responsible for the development of primary and secondary education.
EX:
Ministry of Children and Equality, Department for Children and Youth Policy
(http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/bld.html?id=298)
Provision of funding for voluntary child and youth organisations including immigrant organisations.
Civil Society (EX):
Idébanken (Ideas Bank)
(http://www.idebanken.no/english/main.html)
Private foundation, established in 1992, devoted to the search for a future in which sustainability, global equity, democracy and a spirit of community prevail. Parts of the budget come FROM the Norwegian Ministry of Environment.
With its support scheme, Idébanken aims to reduce differences between Norwegian and minority youth. It has supported e.g. multilateral youth work in the Barents region (2002-2005) and gives grants for cooperative projects in the field of environment, music and theatre projects; information for Saami youth; leadership training and cooperation on the participation of young people in the life of the community.
Furthermore, Idébanken promotes and facilitates "new dialogues", promotes cross-cutting dialogues, employing a range of methods to stimulate creativity and ensures that everyone gets their voice heard (e.g. via Future workshops, Café dialogues and SWOT analysis).
Department of Sport Policy within the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs
(http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/kkd.html?id=545)
CIVIL SOCIETY (EX):
The Football Association of Norway runs a project ‘Fargerik Fotbal' (Colourful Football) that uses football as a tool to fight racism and other forms of discrimination on and off the Norwegian football fields.
Centre for Combating Racial Discrimination
(http://www.smed.no/)
Norwegian Centre for Human Rights
(http://www.humanrights.uio.no/english/)
The Oslo Coalition for Freedom of Religion and Belief at the University of Oslo Faculty of Law
(http://www.oslocoalition.org/about.php)
The Coalition is organised under the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (see above). Unlike the other programmes run by the Centre, the Coalition enjoys a great deal of autonomy. Its activities are based on the Oslo Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which was adopted at a Conference in 2001; it was signed by leaders of all major Norwegian faith communities. The Coalition works on a project basis, cooperating with partners with a similar agenda in a number of countries; the secretariat and part of the projects are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see 7.)
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
(Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
(http://www.norad.no/)
EX: Norad programme in Arts and Cultural Education (ACE): a programme of co-operation between institutions for cultural education in the South and partners in Norway in association with the Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU).
CIVIL SOCIETY (EX):
The Nansen Dialogue Network
(http://www.nansen-dialogue.net/content/view/13/4/)
The Nansen Dialogue Network, mainly funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consists of Nansen Dialogue Centres (NDCs) in the Western Balkans, organised as local NGOs, and the Nansen Academy in Norway. The main objective of the network is to contribute to reconciliation and peacebuilding through interethnic dialogue between strategic individuals and groups that have strong influence or decision making power in deeply divided communities.
