3. THE THREE CROSS-CUTTING PERSPECTIVES
The cross-cutting perspectives of environment and climate, gender equality, and children’s rights and young people must be integrated into the Nordic Council of Ministers. Below is a description and more in-depth guidance for mainstreaming the three cross-cutting perspectives in the Nordic Council of Ministers.
3.1 Environment and climate
Description
The cross-cutting perspective relating to the environment and climate is about protecting our planet and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving biodiversity, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Nordic countries have long been at the forefront of environmental and climate work and have ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a green economy. Nordic co-operation has been extensive in this area, contributing to the region being seen as a pioneer in environmental and climate issues. Nevertheless, major challenges remain, including reducing dependence on fossil fuels, protecting ecosystems, and adapting societies to a changing climate.
The Nordic Council of Ministers for the Environment and Climate (MR-MK) has ultimate responsibility for environmental and climate issues in the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic Co-operation Programme for the Environment and Climate 2025–2030 sets the political priorities for the area. The co-operation programme is based on what the UN calls the triple crisis. With a focus on climate, biodiversity, and pollution as well as the circular economy, the co-operation programme seeks to strengthen Nordic collaboration where there is a Nordic advantage in doing so.
Guidance for integration
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ projects and programmes must take environmental and climate perspectives into account by answering the following question:
How does the project impact the environment and climate, and how will the project’s implementation actively promote the green transition?
The following questions may support you in answering this question:
- What are the direct and indirect environmental and climate impacts of the initiative, linked to e.g.:
- the production of knowledge and solutions?
- meetings and conferences
- travel and accommodation?
- the use of materials and resources
- How can the initiative contribute to the green transition by e.g.:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
- promoting more sustainable resource use and a circular economy?
- reducing pollution on land and at sea?
- supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services?
3.2 Gender equality
Description
Gender equality is achieved when all women and all men have the same rights and opportunities. Gender equality relates to the fair distribution of power, influence, and resources.
The Nordic countries’ conscious efforts to improve gender equality are a cornerstone of the modern Nordic welfare societies. There has been extensive co-operation within the Nordic Region in this area, which has made it the most gender-equal region in the world. However, much remains to be done to improve gender equality in the labour market, in the home, and in decision-making bodies.
The Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality and LGBTI (MR-JÄM) has ultimate responsibility for gender equality matters in the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic Co-operation Programme for Gender Equality and LGBTI 2025–2030 sets the political priorities for the area. Nordic Information on Gender (NIKK) is the gender equality sector’s co-operative body. It gathers and disseminates knowledge about policies and practice, facts, and research in the field of gender equality.
Guidance for integration
Taking a gender equality perspective into account in the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers is about understanding how women and men are affected by your initiatives and the decisions you make. In your work, this means that you must help to empower women, men, girls, and boys equally so that they can shape society and their own lives.
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ projects and programmes must take gender equality perspectives into account by answering the following question:
How does the project affect individuals of different genders in different ways, and how will the project’s implementation actively promote gender equality?
The following questions may support you in answering this question:
- Is the area characterised by gender stereotypes? Does the initiative help to challenge or reinforce these stereotypes?
- Are there gender-disaggregated statistics in this area? Can we use these statistics to make the project relevant to more people?
- How can we achieve a good gender balance between participants in the initiative?
3.3 Children and young people
Description
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ definition of children and young people is those aged 0 to 25.
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ definition of children and young people is therefore somewhat broader than the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, for example, which covers individuals up to the age of 18.
The Nordic countries have long been pioneers in strengthening the rights of children and young people through legislation, welfare systems, and education. Nordic co-operation has led to significant progress in establishing safe and inclusive conditions for young people to grow up in, as well as opportunities for young people to participate in societal development. Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as ensuring equal access to education and health, improving young people’s influence in decision-making, and combating vulnerability and mental illness.
The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation (MR-SAM) have overall responsibility for co-ordinating matters relating to children and young people in the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK) is the Nordic Council of Ministers’ advisory and co-ordinating body for issues relating to children and young people.
Guidance for integration
Integrating a children’s rights and youth perspective into the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers is about understanding and considering how children and young people think about and are affected by your initiatives and the decisions you make, and involving children and young people directly in the processes that significantly affect them.
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ projects and programmes must take gender equality perspectives into account by answering the following question:
How does the project affect children and young people, and how will the project’s implementation actively promote the rights and living conditions of children and young people?
The following questions may support you in answering this question:
- How are children and young people affected by the issues we work with?
- Which children and young people are or are not affected?
- How does the work help to facilitate children’s rights?
- Are there plans to involve children and young people?
Where children and young people are involved in the work, we must adhere to the Nordic Council of Ministers’ guiding principles and approaches for the involvement of children and young people.