Arendalsuka (Arendal Week) is Norway’s largest political and societal gathering, held annually in the coastal town of Arendal. It serves as an open, non-partisan arena where politicians, businesses, NGOs, media, and citizens come together to discuss current issues and shape public policy.
USN's stratigic reseach area on Democracy, social organisation and governance hosted a debate on board the univerisity's boat. The debate was a c
The debate was organized by the University of South-Eastern Norway in collaboration with the Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH), the Young Academy of Norway, and the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
Democracy, academic freedom, and diversity are under increasing pressure worldwide. Scientific research is facing significant challenges – most recently in the United States. Projects related to diversity, climate, gender, human rights, health, nutrition, and vaccines are being labeled as controversial or undesirable by authorities, resulting in loss of funding.
What happens when research is silenced? What are the consequences for Norwegian research communities? What can universities, the Research Council of Norway, political leaders, and other stakeholders do to protect the independence of science and ensure a strong democracy?
Watch the debate here (Norwegian only):
The panel
Introduction: Åsne Håndlykken-Luz, Associate professor at Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies, Human Rights and Multiculturalism master's program. Research leader Strategic Research area (SFO DSS), Democracy, societal organisation and governance.
Discussion panel, part 1
- Lise Selnes (Labour Party), Member of the Norwegian Parliament
- Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive Officer of the Research Council of Norway
- Guro Fløgstad, Professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway and Chair of the Young Academy of Norway
Discussion panel, part 2
- Lise Selnes (Labour Party), Member of the Norwegian Parliament
- Annelin Eriksen, Professor at the University of Bergen and President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
- Henriette Johnstone, President of the Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH)
Moderator: David Guttormsen, Professor in Organisation and Management at the School of Business of the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) and serves as Deputy Director of the university’s Strategic Research Area: ‘Democracy, Societal Organisation and Governance’