How are we going to make a living in Norway in future?

October 4 2011

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Polytechnic Society invite the public to three meetings in autumn 2011 in the series ‘How are we going to make a living in Norway in future?’.

Is the Government Pension Fund, also known as the Oil Fund, increasingly giving Norway a false sense of security? Should long-term investments in Norwegian education and research, infrastructure and cutting-edge expertise be strengthened significantly? How can initiatives to promote a more forward-looking industrial structure be reconciled with the best Norwegian social traditions? These and other questions will be explored in three upcoming meetings.

The meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 7 – 9 p.m. on 11, 18 and 25 October 2011.
Venue: The House of Literature, Wergelandsveien 29, Oslo
Pre-Registration: www.polyteknisk.no

Tuesday, 18 October 2011, 7 – 9 p.m.: ‘Norway’s future business and industry’
What drives innovation, restructuring and value creation? What should we do today to promote business and industry tomorrow?

Debate featuring: Professor Torger Reve, Norwegian School of Management, Division Director Anne Kjersti Fahlvik, Research Council of Norway, Bård Vegar Solhjell, Head of the Parliamentary Group of The Socialist Left Party and former Minister of Education and Research, Research Director Torbjorn Hægeland, Statistics Norway, and Advisor/R & D Director Per Olav Skjervold, Aga Halibut
Moderator: Economist Camilla Bakken Øvald

The meeting is part of the programme for Oslo Innovation Week.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011, 7 – 9 p.m. ‘Norwegian industry – at home or abroad?’
The internationalisation of the manufacturing industry: Norwegian companies abroad and international companies here at home. Skills, jobs and ownership. Do investments abroad create new jobs at home? Would an industrial renaissance be possible in Norway?

Debate featuring: State Secretary Rikke Lind, Ministry of Trade and Industry, CEO Svein Brandtzaeg, Hydro, CEO Ole Enger, REC, and Chief Shop Steward Atle Tranøy, Aker ASA.
Moderator: Leo Grünfeldt, Board member, The Polytechnic Society/International Politics and Economy

Tuesday, 11 October 2011, 7 – 9 p.m.: ‘Are we managing our petroleum assets prudently?’
Is too little being invested in Norway? Does the fiscal rule serve the best interest of coming generations? What prevents investments in the best interest of society? How should major investments be financed?

Debate featuring: State Secretary Hilde Singsaas, Ministry of Finance, Professor Victor Norman, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, and Professor Halvor Mehlum, University of Oslo
Moderator: Ida Wolden Bache, senior economist at Handelsbanken

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