Nordic Talks

Already marginalized communities are often the ones who bear the brunt of today's climate crisis, but still their perspectives are frequently ignored or overlooked by the decision-makers behind the green transition. In this episode we ask how communities can be empowered to fight for climate justice. How do we all ensure that their views are taken into account by politicians and the climate movement? And what role does legal action have to play? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks online event, arranged by the non-profit organization Diversify.

Are young people today interested in politics? Surveys show that the answer is yes. Eighty-five percent of Europeans under 30 say that they discuss politics with friends and relatives. Yet on election day, less than half of them turn out to vote – be it in local, national, or European elections. In this episode we ask three young voices from the political world how we can increase Generation Z's participation in politics. What role does social media play? What is the right voting age? And how do we get more young people to enter politics? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event hosted by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania.

How do we manufacture our products? What energy sources do we use? How do we transport goods and how do we package them? All these questions need to be answered as we try to decarbonize the world's manufacturing industries and reach the Paris Agreement goals for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode we dive into the challenges facing sectors such as the motor vehicle and textile industries, as well as the packaging industry and manufacturing in general. We take the temperature on new EU regulations and their potential effect on industry inside and outside Europe. And we look at the new ideas and solutions coming from the Nordics and Türkiye – a country with a major manufacturing sector. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Istanbul, arranged by the Nordic missions in Türkiye together with Business Finland and Business Sweden as part of the Türkiye Circular Economy Week.

Internet, smartphones, and now artificial intelligence - the digital revolution has made us more connected, given us better access to information and led to greater transparency. Digital tools are used to promote international peace, security, and democracy, but at the same time, authoritarian regimes are becoming increasingly good at navigating the digital world - spreading propaganda, disinformation and exercising control. In this episode, we ask how we can use digital tools to advocate for peace and democracy. What kinds of challenges and opportunities does the digital media landscape present for democratic societies? And what is the future of democracy worldwide in the era of digitalization? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, arranged by the Nordic Embassies in Japan.

The entrepreneur Ada Osakwe is the founder of the fastest-growing sustainable fast-food chain in Nigeria. She is also advising politicians and other decisionmakers on how to improve the infrastructure for food production in the Global South. Listen as Ada sits down with the Estonian Climate Youth Delegate, Anna Celine Kraus, to talk about the complexities of sustainable food systems, and how we can reimagine them worldwide. This Nordic Talks episode is the last of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Founder and CEO of Springs of ASAL, Mana Omar, has first-hand experience with gender inequality in climate vulnerable communities. In a sit-down with the Norwegian Youth Delegate, Amalie Holmefjord, she tells her story of growing up in a pastoralist community in Kenya and the challenges that came with it. Listen as Mana and Amalie talk about Mana's role as a youth leader of the UN Women's Action Coalition and her organization's work on climate resilient and gender equal societies, as well as how the Nordic countries can take lead in securing a gender just transition for all. This Nordic Talks episode is the fourth of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts lost his friend Rosa in the floods in Belgium in 2021. After this tragedy, he founded the initiative "Climate Justice for Rosa", which has sparked worldwide attention and contributed to an EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis. Listen as the 17-year-old Belgian sits down with Danish Youth Delegates, Lise Coermann Nygaard and Marcus Taulborg, to talk about his personal story, as well as having a conversation about climate anxiety and intergenerational justice. This Nordic Talks episode is the third of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

As a child, Rose Kobusinge from Uganda experienced how longer and longer periods of drought affected her local community and their livelihoods. But it wasn't until she started university that she realized the severity of the climate crisis. Today she's a climate activist, pushing for the integration of the multiple planetary crisis into the curriculum of all education. Listen as Rose sits down with Swedish Youth Delegate Alice Gimbro Frisk to talk about how we can tackle the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. This Nordic Talks episode is the second of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Last year Agustín Ocaña from Ecuador quit his job to become a full-time advocator for the education of the world's youth as a way of fighting for the climate. Today, Agustín is head of the Global Youth Coalition – facilitating the collaboration between thousands of young people in the global North and South, teaching them to be changemakers. Listen as Agustín sits down with Icelandic Youth Delegates, Finnur Ricart Andrason and Unnur Þórdís Kristinsdóttir, to talk about North-South collaboration on climate justice and how youth should use technology and storytelling to combat climate change. This Nordic Talks episode is the first of five special episodes recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Can lava from volcanoes be transformed into house walls? And can we use fungi to clean areas in our cities from toxic waste? The answer to both questions is yes – at least at some point in the future. These are just a few of the innovative ideas coming from the growing number of architects looking for alternative ways to build and design our cities – for the sake of both people and the planet. In this episode, we examine some of the solutions offered by new types of architecture in the fight against climate change and look at how they can help bring nature back into our cities. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Reykjavik during the yearly DesignTalks, arranged by Iceland Design and Architecture.

A global shift to a more sustainable diet is needed to reduce the major impact that food production has on our planet. Right now the global food system is responsible for 30 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time a third of all the food produced is wasted. Can we rethink what we eat and where it comes from? Can technology offer new solutions? And can the latest Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, which combine dietary advice with environmental considerations, contribute to this? In this episode, food industry innovators and experts try to predict what responsible food consumption and production might look like in the future. And what we need to do to get there now. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, arranged by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

Clothing production has doubled worldwide over the last 15 years and has today a huge negative environmental and social footprint. The global fashion industry is not only the third most polluting industry, responsible for 8-10 percent of the world's carbon emissions, but it's also notorious for low wages and poor working conditions. Without a significant shift in how we produce and consume clothing, the planet and people will continue to pay the price for our love for fast fashion. What can we do to achieve a more Earth-friendly clothing industry? In this episode, we hear from forward thinkers working to find sustainable fashion solutions and advocating for more action. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event arranged by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto as part of the Canadian Circular Fashion Festival.

Imagine a picture-perfect future where clean energy projects have replaced damaging non-renewable energy sources. With many of the new green projects being built all over the world, we are slowly approaching this goal. However, while massive wind farms and solar panel parks are being built, there is a pressing issue to be addressed. What about the Indigenous people living in often remote areas where these projects take place? Too often, they are not considered or even asked for their opinion. In this episode, we explore the crucial role of Indigenous communities in the green transition. From the Arctics to Australia, we examine how Indigenous voices must be heard to strike a balance between the pursuit of the "green gold rush" and the preservation of cultural heritage and human rights. Join us as we delve into the complexities of this critical issue and learn how we can all play a part in a just and sustainable energy transition. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event arranged by The Nordic Policy Centre at The Australia Institute in Canberra, Australia.

Despite progress towards gender equality, women's voices remain underrepresented in the mainstream media, where male domination has been the norm for decades. But the tide is turning, and in this episode, we explore why fair gender representation in the media is vital for a more equitable society. We'll look at inspiring examples of how countries are addressing the imbalance and discuss how diverse newsrooms can enhance reporting and coverage of social issues. Join us as we examine the challenges, opportunities, and potential impact of achieving true gender parity in the media. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, hosted by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

Do you sometimes wonder if the world is making progress on reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Are we succeeding in securing a better and more sustainable future for the planet and future generations? Now is a good time for a status update - the goals were agreed in 2015, so we are already halfway to the deadline of 2030. In this episode, we take a closer look at the goals chosen by the United Nations' 193 member states. How far have we come? Are we on track to transform the world in the next few years? And what does the future hold beyond 2030? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Toronto, organized by the Harbourfront Centre, a not-for-profit cultural organization.

The war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis shocked Europe into realizing the risks of relying on imported gas and oil. As a result, many countries, including the Nordics, are asking themselves how they can become more self-sufficient and speed up the transition to locally produced renewable energy. In this episode, we take a closer look at how to increase energy security. How can the Nordics and other countries build on their existing renewable energy resources? How can a country like Japan, with no tradition of using green energy, get started? And how can countries work together to wean their economies off imported fossil fuels and make their energy consumption more sustainable? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, arranged by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

What happens when a country that has lived in peace for decades needs to defend itself? While governments may be able to obtain military hardware quickly, many forget the equally vital role played by civil defense. In this episode, we examine the importance of involving civil society in resisting threats – whether there is a military threat or threats in the form of natural disasters or pandemics. How do you organize civil defense, and create solidarity and engagement in a society? In short: How do you build a resilient society, one that is prepared to weather any storm? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Birštonas and arranged by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania together with Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius.

The different neighborhoods, and their unique atmosphere, is what makes cities across the world so interesting. However, there is a pitfall to this uniqueness, as it can end up creating further division between neighborhoods. Especially when residents have less and less contact with others due to the physical infrastructure of the city. In this episode, we look at how we can create common ground in our cities. We look at fresh ideas from the Nordic cities of Aarhus and Malmö, and we ask how city planners and architects can influence the mental state of the inhabitants of our increasingly diverse cities. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event that took place during the Oslo Architecture Triennale and was arranged by the Helsinki-based organization, Urban Practice.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic. These are the essential skills that children learn in schools around the globe. But the world is changing rapidly and children will need additional skills to help them tackle pressing issues such as inequality and the climate crisis. In this episode, we explore how we best can equip and prepare our children for the future. What skills and knowledge do our children, and their children again, need to become engaged citizens striving for a fair, green, digital, and peaceful future? And what can you and I do to support young people and society on this journey? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Stockholm, organized by the non-profit organization, Reach for Change.

Hurricanes, floods, and drought. These extreme weather events are hitting the world's poorer countries more and more often due to climate change - much of which is caused by richer countries. But in the future, developing countries will receive compensation for this damage. Work is under way to set up a worldwide fund to provide financial assistance. It's called the "loss and damage" fund and was agreed upon at the latest UN climate conference, COP27. In this episode, we look at what it will take to implement this agreement. How can countries such as those in the Nordics ensure the money needed for the fund is raised? And what role will climate activists and civil society play in making it happen? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Copenhagen and arranged by Oxfam IBIS, the Danish member of Oxfam International.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Oksana Nykytyuk from Ukraine and Katya Burdukovskaya from Russia.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen from Ukraine and Daria Wagner from Russia.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Oksana Didyk from Ukraine and Irina Nielsen from Russia.

Did anyone ever tell you that the future is digital? It's a phrase you've probably heard many times over. But what happens in reality when governments around the world try to kickstart the digital transformation of their societies? How do we make sure no one is left behind? And how do you make people feel safe entrusting sensitive data to the authorities? In this episode, we investigate the situation in Japan - a country that rapidly needs to become more digitalized in order to take care of a population with the world's largest proportion of people over 65. Can Japan make the transformation and how is it going about it? And we look at the Nordic digital frontrunners, like Denmark, to see if there are experiences we can draw from when developing and implementing new digital solutions. This podcast episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, Japan, arranged by the Nordic embassies and Nordic Innovation House Tokyo.

We came to COP27 with a sense of urgency, as we know from science that we are already running out of time. Technological fixes are certainly not enough - we need deep systemic change within every sector. Recently the pandemic showed us that it is possible to respond rapidly to a worldwide crisis. So, can we use this ability to fight the climate crisis? In the final episode of our COP27-special, the panelists shed light on what was discussed at COP27 in Egypt, and more importantly, they discuss where we go from here. The panel consists of Matilde Angeltveit, Norwegian Youth Delegate to the UNFCCC, Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director at the European Environment Agency, Markku Ollikainen, Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Finnish Climate Panel, and Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, and is moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Is the fight against climate change now seen as so urgent, that it will move humanity towards a more sustainable and just world? Or will we continue to head towards further destruction of biodiversity and natural resources, which are both so important for peace and prosperity? Are today's parliamentarians able to make the decisions needed to pave the way for behavioral change? These are some of the questions discussed by Axel Eriksson, Swedish Youth Delegate to the UNFCCC, and two members of the Norwegian Parliament, Nikolai Astrup, the Norwegian Conservative Party, and Himanshu Gulati, the Norwegian Progress Party, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Arctic has warmed three times quicker than the planet as a whole, and up North the effects of the climate changes are visible already today. How can Arctic societies be agents of change in the green transition? How do Arctic societies adapt to climate change? And what pathways are possible for sparsely inhabited areas with vast distances and a harsh climate? In short: What could Arctic societies look like in 2050? This is discussed by Avijâja Jepsen, Special Consultant to Naalakkersuisut – Government of Greenland, Ola Elvestuen, member of the Norwegian Parliament and the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment, and Sara Olsvig, International Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How do we improve people's health by decreasing exposure to black carbon, reduce carbon emissions, prevent deforestation, and promote gender equality by empowering women? Well, it's actually all about clean cooking. But more than 4 billion people globally, including almost 900 million people in Sub-Saharan African countries, lack access to modern and clean cooking solutions. The topic is discussed by Sophie Odupoy, Group Head of Public Affairs at KOKO Networks, Ash Sharma, Vice President at Nefco and Head of the Modern Cooking Facility for Africa, and Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Head of Delegation to the UNFCCC, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How can we reimagine our cities for a regenerative transformation? To regenerate means not only to do less harm, but to become a positive force that restores, renews, and regrows. In this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt, we will explore how we can create a regenerative world that works within the planetary boundaries. How do we create a future where humankind, nature and our cities can all thrive and flourish? Participants in the discussion are Nikolaj Sveistrup, Copenhagen Institute of Future Studies, and Jo da Silva, Sustainable Director at ARUP. The talk is moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How can we accelerate our fight for the climate through climate finance and market mechanisms? Can we succeed in changing the way we think, create, and invest in new projects? And how can purpose investments from the private sector and voluntary compensation work as new ways of accelerating the change? This is discussed by Jon Johnsen, CEO of the pension fund PKA, and Hanna-Mari Ahonen, Senior Consultant at Perspectives Climate Research, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

It turns out that building social cohesion in your local community can in itself have a significant impact on levels of climate action. This is one of the findings from the Nordics, where several experiments are taking place using art and culture to trigger new ways of thinking and create change. In this episode, we look at how artists, grassroots activists and other creative minds are working to help us build sustainable communities and environments in our cities and neighbourhoods. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Stockholm, arranged by Intercult, an independent resource and production centre for culture focused on European and transnational collaborations.

How can I be happy at work? It seems that more and more people worldwide are asking themselves precisely this question. The COVID-19 pandemic especially made many of us reflect on the work-life balance and ask whether there is more to life than work. In this episode, we look at important questions surrounding working life today. How to improve your working conditions? How to find the strength to leave an unfulfilling job? How to find the right work-life balance? In short, we ask our speakers to reveal the secrets to boosting happiness at work. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event organized by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. The talk is part of "Nordic Bridges 2022", a year-long initiative fostering cultural exchange between the Nordic Region and Canada throughout 2022.

Did you know that over 80 percent of goods traded internationally are transported by sea? This makes the shipping sector a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are under way. Green shipping corridors - routes between ports where all transport is emission-free - are part of the new wave of climate-friendly solutions. The Nordic countries and more than a dozen other nations are taking the lead in setting up these corridors, which they hope will set a precedent for the rest of the world. In this episode, we look at the progress being made on creating the first green shipping corridors and investigate the environmental benefits of sailing green from port to port. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Lisbon and arranged by the UN Global Compact Network in Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Portugal, and the Danish and Swedish UN Global Compact Networks.

The Black Lives Matter movement was propelled into the global spotlight as protests spread following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Having started as a grassroots movement protesting racially motivated violence and police brutality in the United States, Black Lives Matter has now grown into an international social and political phenomenon, with activists organizing protests and social media campaigns worldwide. In this episode, we explore how this once US-based movement has triggered action against racism in places as far away as the Nordic countries: A region traditionally seen as being at the forefront in the fight against inequality and discrimination but which still has its battles to fight regarding these issues. We also ask what the struggle for black people's rights will look like in the future. Will it remain global? And what would that mean for black people? This podcast episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event organized by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada. The talk is part of "Nordic Bridges 2022", a year-long initiative fostering cultural exchange between the Nordic Region and Canada.

The world urgently needs to move to green energy for the sake of the climate. But what if scrapping fossil fuels means that you lose your job or face rising living costs? Tradeoffs like these pose a major dilemma for the politicians, activists, and businesses leading the green transition, who are now asking how the switch to cleaner energy can be made fair. In this episode, we look at the efforts now being made especially in the Nordic countries and Japan to make the impact of climate action more equal and we examine how far the world has come in reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event organized by the Nordic Embassies and the Nordic Innovation House in Tokyo, Japan.

Women are increasingly bearing the brunt of digital abuse. The rise of social media platforms has created greater opportunities for hate against women to make its way online. This abuse can be devastating for those targeted and it also has direct negative consequences for women's democratic participation. In this episode, we'll examine what's behind the phenomenon of online abuse and examine the ways in which activists and legislators in the highly digitalized Nordic countries are trying to stem the tide of digital harassment. We also ask META, who owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, what they're doing to combat this threat to women's rights. This episode episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event held in Reykjavik, Iceland, organized by the Nordic Digital Rights and Equality Foundation, NORDREF.

What do you think of when you hear the word library? Maybe you think of a building full of books - a place to explore other worlds and perspectives. But in the 21st century libraries have become much more than that. They mirror society and reflect the developments occurring in the surrounding world. In some libraries, you can now even borrow a so-called human book – a real human being sitting in front of you sharing their personal story. Sounds exciting, right? In this episode, we explore the unifying power of libraries and discover why some people consider them to be the beating heart of modern communities. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the Toronto International Festival of Authors in partnership with the Harbourfront Centre. The talk is part of Toronto's Harbourfront Centre "Nordic Bridges 2022" cultural exchange initiative.

The ice is melting, the flora and fauna are changing, and people's ways of life are at risk. In the Arctic's, inhabitants have first-hand experience of the consequences of climate change. This is one of the reasons why the Nordic countries have stepped up to the plate to address the climate crisis and why they are working hard to persuade other countries with interests in the region to do the same. But it's not all plain sailing – in the Arctic financial and geopolitical interests often get in the way of taking significant action. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the ongoing struggle to save the Arctic before it's too late.

When COVID-19 hit with its lockdowns and foreign travel restrictions, did you suddenly feel drawn to life somewhere more remote? If so, you weren't alone. Rural areas around the world suddenly found themselves overwhelmed with visitors, and in some cases, this influx even overpowered the infrastructure. But on the other side, as people got more open-minded about rural living, they also became more aware of the potential mental and physical health benefits, as well as the opportunities for more sustainable lifestyles. In this episode, we hear how rural communities in the Nordics and around the world turned the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity and we investigate how we can develop thriving, but still sustainable rural areas over the coming decades. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the University of Limerick in Ireland, Nordregio in Sweden, and CoDel in the United Kingdom.

The world is suffering from a second worrying pandemic – not COVID-19, but a major outbreak of distrust: Accusations of fake news and lies, general disregard for the facts, and freely circulating conspiracy theories. All this doubt makes it difficult to implement policies for the common good needed, for example, in the fight against COVID-19. Here the Nordic countries are faring better than most, something experts put down to the high levels of trust found in Nordic societies. In this episode, we look at how the Nordics managed to build up this social trust and we investigate what's needed for countries to break and reverse the vicious circle of distrust and denial.

Africa's total population is expected to almost double to nearly 2.5 billion by 2050, where roughly half will be living in urban areas. Urbanization is at the heart of development on the African continent, where currently 17 of the world's 20 fastest-growing cities are located. While urbanization comes with many challenges, it also offers great opportunities. If planners can adopt people-centered and climate-proof approaches now, they can create green, liveable cities for years to come. In this episode, we find out how Nordic city planning models have sparked ideas for green urban planning in Africa, Asia and Latin America. And we look at how these models can support economic growth, youth employment, services, and liveable neighborhoods, while also ensuring sustainable development. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event, held at COP26, organized by the Nordic Development Fund in close cooperation with the African Development Bank.

Did you know that your pension can be a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change? However small your pension pot, when pooled together with the savings of hundreds of thousands of other people, it can have a major impact. And the impact is growing as large amounts of money from both private and public funds are increasingly invested in green and sustainable companies. Investors from the Nordic countries were some of the first to start thinking about sustainability and are still among the frontrunners in the current boom. In this episode, we look at the burgeoning sustainable investment sector and find out just how big an impact it can have on our future.

A woman's right to decide over her own body is a cornerstone of gender equality and sustainable development but remains a battlefield across the globe. Even discussing issues related to sex and reproductive health is often taboo. What will it take to get to a point where all women have control of their own lives and bodies? In this episode, we hear from activists, ministers, and global organizations who discuss what actions need to be taken. They underscore why it is crucial to start talking about sex, freedom and bodily autonomy to achieve the sustainable future we are aiming for. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event hosted by the Mind Your Business sustainable business consultancy in cooperation with UN Women.

Darkness, lousy weather, and a sleepover in the middle of nowhere. Sound fun? Apparently yes! The Nordic countries have successfully branded their remoter edges as desirable tourist destinations. Is it luck because the far north is 'in' right now? Or does it reflect a growing longing for alternatives to well-known, popular destinations? In this episode, we find out how the Nordics attracted visitors to their outer rural regions and why Scotland is now following suit. And we ask  just how long the coolness of the Nordic fringes can last. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event jointly arranged by Finland's Åbo Akademi University and the Swedish Literature Society in Finland.

Bees are dying out and that's a big problem for us human beings. If bees and other pollinators disappeared altogether, we would lose a third of our food supply. Half of all the fruit and vegetables on our supermarket shelves would vanish. And the impact on our planet's biodiversity would be catastrophic. So what's our Plan Bee? How do we save the world's pollinators? In this episode, we dive into an example from the Nordic countries where work is under way to save the local brown bee from extinction. And we look at what is being done around the world to protect bees and the global food supply. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the National Nordic Museum in Seattle.

Education is a fundamental human right, yet only 70 percent of children worldwide are in school. How can we bridge this gap to reach the goal of free quality education for all by 2030? The Nordic countries are among the world leaders when it comes to supporting education in low- and middle-income countries globally. They also have the most experience to share in providing free public education for their own populations. In this episode, we look at how education is key to shaping our future and why education should take priority on political agendas worldwide. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event, arranged by the Danish development NGO Oxfam IBIS and the Norwegian Embassy in Ethiopia.

Achieving gender equality in all aspects of society isn't just ethically right, it's also economically smart. Numerous studies show that increasing gender equality increases economic growth, making it a win-win situation. Women make up half the global population and half the workforce, meaning that society is missing out on a lot of valuable ideas if they are not properly included. In this episode, we hear how economic justice and empowerment can drive prosperity for all and how businesses can push these issues to the top of the agenda. We also look at how public and private initiatives from the Nordic countries are accelerating global progress towards gender equality. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event hosted by Mind Your Business, a Danish sustainable business consultancy, and the Danish government's representation at the UN in New York.

More short-term or freelance work. Less steady employment with fixed pay. The labor market is undergoing massive changes, creating uncertainty for millions of people. Why is this happening? And is it possible to reverse this trend?   In this episode we examine possible solutions to the global increase in job insecurity, looking at Nordic experiments with a government-paid basic income. We also seek predictions on what the future of work will look like.   This episode comes from a Nordic Talks online event, live-streamed from the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki as part of the annual Responsible Organising Stakeholder Conference.

You can't see it, but you still breathe it in: Air pollution is an invisible threat to millions of people living in urban areas, and many lives are lost prematurely because of it. Increased efforts are being made, not the least in the Nordics, to tackle this health issue through urban design. Researchers are cooperating with urban developers to change transport systems, reduce pollution around schools, and help citizens by measuring the air quality from neighborhood to neighborhood, even from street to street.   In this episode, we examine some of these efforts and ask the question: How can we increase the livability of our cities by improving the air quality?

The rollout of 5G, the superfast fifth generation mobile internet network, is underway. But will it mean more than just better networks and faster downloads? Can this more accessible technology be used to change society for the better and improve our everyday lives? In this episode, we hear from three female leaders working with technology and 5G, who share their understanding of the key megatrends that will drive 5G and digitalization in the next 10-20 years. They discuss how a faster, better network can break down social barriers, empower female leaders, and enable older people to make full use of digital technologies. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks online event arranged by the 5G Techritory Forum in Latvia.

Should more houses be built from wood? Yes, say some urban planners and architects. They believe the construction industry could drastically reduce its environmental footprint by using wood as a building material instead of concrete.   This is already a trend in the Nordics, driven partly by concern for the climate, but also thanks to a long tradition of using wooden materials – because of the belief that wood can make us happier and bring us closer to nature.    In this episode, we discuss the benefits of building with wood and also look at the challenges of making this switch – in Europe and globally.   This episode is the result of a Nordic Talks online event arranged by the Nordic Visit Organizations in France, hosted by the French newspaper Les Echos and livestreamed from Paris.