A SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE NORDIC REGION
The Nordic welfare societies are largely built on trust, but several development trends are now challenging both the Nordic welfare model and social cohesion.
A socially sustainable society guarantees all of its members equal opportunities for a good life while protecting the environment and resources for future generations. A just and inclusive society is one that actively fights against discrimination and inequality. Healthier and more sustainable food consumption also contributes to better public health. Rapid technological development and the use of artificial intelligence offer new opportunities for all population groups, especially young people. At the same time, the use of technology also comes with risks such as cyberthreats, and certain groups may be excluded from the opportunities new technology has to offer. The presidency will also discuss the rise in difficulties with concentration and anxiety disorders among children and young people as digital tools become more and more prevalent.
Confidence in the rule of law, democracy and gender equality is a cornerstone of Nordic society that must be protected and strengthened. Robust social cohesion makes it possible to create a safe and supportive environment for individuals and groups. In such a society, people are better off and society is more resilient to various crises and challenges.
The presidency will focus in particular on close cooperation and the exchange of information and experience in combatting and preventing youth and gang crime and in combatting cross-border organised crime. Efforts to identify criminal activities and behaviours that contribute to them are ongoing, and discussions are in progress to further develop cooperation within the prison system.
The presidency will also work to promote the resilience of democracy. The opportunity for people of all ages to act and participate is necessary for a pluralistic society and for the development of democracy. The fight against corruption strengthens the structures for the rule of law, ensures a high level of trust and improves the stability of Nordic economies, while weakening the foundations for organised crime. Consequently, during the presidency, we will work to identify methods for combatting corruption and sharing best practices between the Nordic countries.
A high level of knowledge and education has an impact on social welfare. Studies in recent years have shown that learning outcomes have deteriorated in the Nordic countries.
Competence in literacy, mathematics and science has fallen and learning differences have become more prevalent. During the presidency, we will pursue Nordic cooperation to identify the causes of the declining level of knowledge and identify solutions to reverse this trend in the Nordic countries.
Digitalisation and artificial intelligence can affect key democratic stakeholders and processes, but they can also contribute to innovation in society. The presidency will focus on media literacy and education for democratic citizenship. False or misleading information can intentionally undermine society and democracy. A good level of media competence and the ability of citizens of all ages to recognise disinformation strengthen active citizenship and also improve the resilience of society.
Finland’s and Åland’s co-presidency will pursue Nordic cooperation on disability issues and the mainstreaming of disability. The aim is to increase awareness and strengthen the knowledge base on the rights of persons with disabilities and thereby support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in different sectors and at different levels.
Digitalisation and preparedness are important topics when it comes to the rights of people with disabilities. By taking into account the rights of people with disabilities in these areas, we support a socially sustainable Nordic Region in which no one is excluded. Cooperation in the field of disability also brings a Nordic perspective to debates on disability policy at the European and global levels. In addition, Nordic cooperation in the field of disability in 2025 will have a focus on human rights, taking into account an intersectional approach – in other words, how different factors such as age and gender affect the positions of persons with disabilities.
Although the Nordic countries are world leaders in the promotion of gender equality, there is a lot of work to do. During the presidency year, cooperation will focus on gender equality, equal pay, gender-related violence and the welfare of people belonging to gender and sexual minority groups. Finland is continuing its long-term human rights policy for promote and defending rights for women, girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, gender minority groups, sexual minority groups and other particularly vulnerable people and groups.
The year 2025 marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action, which is among the most important international documents on gender equality. During the presidency, we will explore the significance of the platform for action from a Nordic perspective and look at what remains to be implemented.
Cultural diversity, inclusion and equality are fundamental Nordic values. In order to address the challenges of the future, it is vital that every inhabitant of the Nordic countries can live a good life and have the best possible opportunities to participate in the region’s cultural life and societal development, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, disability, language or ethnic origin.
During the presidency, we will work together to look at how we can strengthen cultural and linguistic diversity in the Nordic Region, increase participation, improve inclusion and equality in cultural life and ensure smooth and proactive cooperation going forward. At the same time, Finland and Åland want to further discussions on how to promote mobility and the exchange of experiences between Nordic practitioners of art and culture and their counterparts from the Arctic and Baltic regions and surrounding areas.
Finland will continue to share its experiences with preparedness issues and look for joint Nordic solutions to the major challenges facing the culture sector, especially with regard to changes in the operating environment, structures in the field of art and culture, and funding prospects. A central issue is the impact of new technology on the development of Nordic cultural policy, including the use of creative works and Sámi culture to train generative artificial intelligence.
Measures to combat work-related exploitation aim to guarantee adherence to minimum terms of employment and other obligations, regardless of the employee’s background. Similarly, these measures aim to ensure that competition between companies is fair and that everyone follows the same rules. The presidency will continue efforts within this sector by promoting measures to prevent work-related exploitation, especially through cooperation between authorities.
The psychosocial work environment is a central issue in the Nordic labour market and one of the key priorities in occupational health and safety regulation. Constant changes pose challenges for the labour market, while a good work environment is a prerequisite for sustainable working life. The importance of the psychosocial work environment has grown in the contemporary labour market due to changes in work environments and the cognitive demands of work. Many people in the Nordic countries feel that mental wellbeing challenges have affected their ability to work, and psychological problems have become a common cause of inability to work throughout the Nordic Region.
It is crucial to prevent and manage psychosocial risks in the workplace in order to achieve a good work environment. Proactive initiatives relating to the psychosocial work environment have a clear impact on people’s work ability and functional capacity, perceived wellness and ability to remain at work. This issue is also important for the EU and forms part of the pillar for social rights.
Language plays an important role in establishing communities, fostering trust, strengthening democracy and improving participation. The Nordic language community is important for the continued development of a common Nordic identity and plays a key role in making the Nordic Region the most integrated region in the world. During the presidency year, we will begin the implementation of the new declaration on Nordic language policy, which was co-adopted by the ministers for education and culture in 2024. The presidency aims to promote a long-term and effective Nordic language policy that develops in step with the times, including in relation to digitalisation, artificial intelligence and internationalisation.
A socially sustainable society guarantees all of its members equal opportunities to enjoy a good life while also protecting the environment and resources for future generations.