In Focus
Estonia and the Nordics – from aid to equal cooperation
At the Nordic Council of Ministers’ office in Tallinn, they will happily tell the story of how the Estonian President Lennart Meri regularly used to visit the information office in 1991.
Ukrainian women in Lithuania: We want to work for our country
Many well-educated Ukrainian women who have fled with their children to Lithuania struggle to find skilled work. Now, with the support from the Nordic Council of Ministers and others, women are getting the knowledge and tools they need to rebuild their country once the war ends.
New energy in cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries
A new wind is blowing for the cooperation on greener energy and security in the Baltic Sea region, believes Denmark’s ambassador to Lithuania.
Scandinavian data centres: fewer jobs and less profit than forecast
New data centres are popping up in Norway and Sweden along with a lot of hope for many new jobs and high returns.
A metro from Malmö to Copenhagen
The majority of Copenhagen’s political parties recently agreed to assess how a new line on the city’s metro system could be run to Malmö in Sweden. A decision is yet to be taken on another permanent link between the two countries – there are several alternatives.
Which is the best alternative?
The Nordic Labour Journal put the same question to the project leaders for the three proposed new links between Sweden and Denmark. This is how they argue for their alternatives.
Kjell-Arne Ottosson: Wants faster train connections and new Council of Minsters
The Nordic Council unanimously declared five years ago it wanted to create a council of ministers for transport and infrastructure as part of the Nordic cooperation. But so far the countries’ prime ministers have not picked up on this, despite major infrastructure investments inside and between the countries.
Jump on the bus: Iceland’s bold new transport plan
In Iceland, plans for a new public transport system to connect the capital region's population is being met with both excitement and criticism. Some 250,000 people live in the Capital Area (Reykjavik and the five municipalities in the region), which is roughly two-thirds of the country's entire population.
Working on the Baltic Sea – long shifts and a close community
The ferries between the Nordics and the Baltics are important transport corridors and keep a lot of people in employment. One of the boats doing the crossing is Aura Seaways, where 52 crew live and work for four weeks at a time.
Electric planes herald new traffic patterns in the Nordics
Electric planes might do more than reduce CO2 emissions. They could also open up a new category of commuting with new, shorter routes. Electric planes would also bring new jobs to manufacturing and at smaller airfields.
Finland's largest industrial project finally finished
The Olkiluoto nuclear power plant has been called a forever project. The first two reactors were built in the 1970s. Now the third reactor has come online, after more than 30 years.
Denmark's 50 years long tug-of-war with the EU
Denmark is the EU veteran among the Nordic countries. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Denmark joining the EC, as it was called back then. And during all these years, the Danes – with increasing difficulty – have fought to maintain their labour market model. Now, they have run out of patience and the tug of war has culminated with Denmark trying to have the minimum wage directive ruled invalid.
Norwegians still largely negative to EU membership
It is nearly 30 years since Norwegians voted no to EU membership for the last time – so far. The chances for another referendum are slim.
Iceland starting to ponder EU membership
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, after the collapse of the banking system almost bankrupted the country. The government at the time, led by the EU-friendly Social Democratic Party, believed membership was vital for financial stability. The Euro was also seen as better than the small and unstable krona.
How the EEA grant gives Norway influence in the EU
Norway and Iceland have full access to the EU internal market thanks to the EEA agreement. But they have to pay a fee. Between 2004 and 2021, Norway paid a total of 60 billion Norwegian kroner (€5.3bn) for access. The difference is that the country has a say in what the money is used for, which brings both influence and attention. A new report details what has been achieved.
Female entrepreneur, CEO and role model
Hanne Jarmer is the inventor of a wall-mounted robot that exercises dogs’ brains. She is also a role model for female entrepreneurs who generally find it far harder than men to attract investors.
Norwegian nuclear physicist: make space for pink in science
Sunniva Johanne Rose is a physicist and blogger. She is good at sciences but also loves shoes, makeup, interior design and fashion. During her academic career, she has faced much prejudice against women in pink.
2023 Gender Equality Barometer: a dramatic fall
A dramatic fall from 92 to 77 female points – that is the result in the Nordic Labour Journal’s gender equality barometer 2023. It measures whether a man or a woman holds 24 positions of power in the five Nordic countries. 100 points for both genders would mean full equality.
Finland shows the way towards a circular economy
Finland wants to be a world leader in the change towards a circular economy. To do that, the country has taken a holistic approach and written the world’s first national roadmap detailing the necessary measures.
EU initiative will make circular products the new normal
Sustainable and circular products will be the new normal in EU markets. That is at least the idea behind the EU Commission’s initiative for a new circular economy action plan which is now being scrutinised by the EU decision-making machinery.
Document Actions
Follow us on Facebook
