In Focus
"Important to continue the extension of collective agreements"
Many workers enjoy improved conditions thanks to the extension of collective agreements. One leader of a trade union organising fisheries workers believes the solution must continue even though it is not a magic solution.
Language technology – threats and opportunities
Language technology development has accelerated rapidly. This is important not only for those who make a living from translation – be it interpreters or translators – but for all businesses that have to relate to different languages. Are the Nordic countries ahead of the curve or are the IT giants like Google, Apple and Microsoft about to take control over important parts of our languages?
Understanding each other – digital services ease cultural exchange
A common digital platform for topical conversations with Nordic profiles could raise awareness about what is going on in our neighbouring countries – just like television once did. New technology makes it easier to cross national borders.
Norway's interpreter costs rise, yet interpreters are underused
The cost of interpreter services in the public sector has risen sharply in Norway. In 2019 the total cost was 843 million kroner (€85.3m). In six years interpreter costs have gone up by 72%. But not using qualified interpreters at all can quickly become even more costly. New interpreter legislation could improve the situation.
Small languages need big language's help to reach IT giants
Languages that are not used in the digital world will not survive. That is the brutal message which formed the basis for the Nordic language meeting – a two days long conference on the latest development in language technology.
Iceland: Trust in politicians almost regained
On September 25 the Icelandic voters will elect a new parliament. Majority governments used to be the rule, but with more parties and four years with Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the rulebook has changed.
Trust levels in Sweden are swaying
Trust between people in Sweden is high, just like in the other Nordic countries. And despite the pandemic and high death rates, trust remains high in Sweden compared to the rest of the world. But on a local level, there is a growing gap between areas of high and low trust, according to the latest Trust Barometer.
Has it become harder to govern the Nordics?
Three of the five Nordic countries are now run by minority governments. Does this mean the political pillar of the Nordic model has grown weaker? While the power of the major established parties is dwindling across the Nordics, trade unions and employers gather in ever-larger organisations.
Nordic cooperation – a must-have or nice-to-have?
The pandemic has led to increased polarization between the Nordic countries and trust between Nordic citizens has fallen. This is particularly true for those living far apart. In border regions, where people know each other, it has been less damaged.
Three Swedish stories of service during the pandemic
To be of service. A task with varying content depending on the business. A common thread these days: How to best get through the pandemic. In Höganäs it happened on a local as well as on an international level.
“Chocolate brown is the post-pandemic comeback office colour”
What do I wear? That could be this autumn’s great question for many who will be returning to work after the holidays. Many Finnish employees have been working from home since March 2020.
100 years of comfort clothes coming out of the closet
A current exhibition at the Helsinki Design Museum showcases the Finnish clothing company Nanso and the 100 years-old history of their everyday fashion. The theme is “The Comfort Revolution” – how comfort and wellbeing has steered fashion’s evolution towards today’s Corona fashion.
Improved labour market access for sign language users
Earlier this year the Norwegian parliament passed a new language act that states that Norway is multilingual. For the first time, Norwegian sign language was recognised as the national sign language, equal to spoken and written Norwegian as a language and cultural expression.
Nordic job exchange hopes to bounce back from Corona
Many Nordic cooperation platforms have been hit by the Corona pandemic. One of the higher profile ones is Nordjobb, the Nordic mobility programme for young workers. Summer jobs should be starting up now, but many are still waiting to hear from their prospective employers.
Åland gave Finnish Maria a Nordic language boost
Improved self-confidence, great experiences together with other Nordjobb workers and useful language training. These are the best memories from Maria Karjalainen’s time working through Nordjobb. Her job was in Åland – exotic enough for a student from Rovaniemi in northern Finland.
Nordic and German trade unions join forces for the green transition
Nordic trade unions should work with their colleagues in Germany to make sure the green transition happens in a just way. Together they can be strong enough to get this trade union perspective on the agenda.
Danish world first: a circular and sustainable building
In 2023, 60 Danish families will move into a cutting edge building made from climate-friendly materials that can be recycled or reused. This kind of sustainable and circular construction is being accelerated and the Nordics are playing an important role.
Construction industry high up on Nordic climate agenda
The Nordic countries are working intensively together to reduce the climate impact from the construction industry both in the region and elsewhere in the EU.
Passionate about seaweed: healthy, tasty and plentiful
Seaweed has been rediscovered as a resource with a range of uses point out ecopreneurs and researchers. But it is also under threat from human activities.
The many ways in which seaweed can save the environment
In Denmark, researchers, companies, authorities and interest organisations have come together in Tang Nu (Danish for Seaweed Now), a project exploring how seaweed farming might help create cleaner oceans and how to use seaweed biomass as food and animal feed.
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