Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2013

The Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt presented the main programme points for the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2013, entitled 'The Nordic model in a new era', at the Nordic Council Session in Helsinki. The programme focuses on five areas: social exclusion, competitiveness, a sustainable society, demographic challenges and the Nordic region in the world. The starting point for the Swedish Presidency in the Nordic Council of Ministers will be the Nordic social model, which has already made a successful contribution to Nordic growth, welfare and solidarity. Nordic social model is intimately linked to a number of key values, including democracy, transparency, social solidarity, tolerance of dissent, equality and individualism. In its Programme for the Presidency, Sweden has taken the initiative to four projects. Strong action against youth unemployment, development of sustainable mining, reduced emissions and workplace-based learning. The starting point for these projects is the belief that Nordic Co-operation, to an increasing extent, can be used to address the social challenges that Nordic countries are facing.

 

Counteracting youth unemployment
Under the heading “More young people in work in the Nordic Region”, we will implement a broad exchange of experiences between the Nordic countries on ways to facilitate young people entering working life. Youth unemployment is a challenge for all the Nordic countries.
In May, a job summit will bring together the Nordic prime ministers, leaders of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Ã…land and interested parties from other parts of society, such as youth organisations, employers, trade unions, government agencies, and companies with a large number of young employees.
Continued development of sustainable Nordic mining
An expert network called Nordmin will be established and bring together stakeholders in the Nordic mining and minerals sector in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the mining industry. 
Reduce emissions
Increase efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate agents. The initiative will focus especially on reducing soot levels and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere and is therefore designed to affect both climate and air quality.
Workplace-based learning
Facilitate the transition from education to work through workplace-based learning. The initiative will be for both young people and adults who should be given the chance for training adapted to the workplace that will lead to a job. The goal is to develop quality in workplace-based learning and thus facilitate the transition to the labour market, and reach new groups of students.
“To secure the Nordic model in the future we must take on the challenges that threaten its long-term viability and success.”