If you would like to take part in any or all of these sessions please contact us on
Email: northernlights@demos.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7367 6340

Download our brochure here (PDF 100 KB) 

Northern Lights 2020: The Future of Northern Europe's Cities
June 2006
What kinds of places do Europe's northern cities want to be as they look forward to 2020?  Can they tell a distinctive story of optimism, inclusiveness and imagination?

Parenting and Families: 21st Century Households
July 2006
Nordic counties offer generous paid parental leave and free, high-quality childcare for all, which is seen as one of the major vehicles for societal development.  This event brings together UK and Nordic policy advocates and analysts to compare and contrast modes of organising family life and supporting parenting.

The New North: Multiculturalism and Diversity
September 2006
Nordic countries have to date served as a model of social policy to other European nations, and thier ability to deal with the challenge of increasing immigration will be tested over the next decade and beyond.  The UK's long experience of diversity issues, tradition of tolerance and multicultural policy make it an obvious place to seek innovative policy ideas in the field of diversity and ethnic management.

Music Education and Well-Being
September/October 2006
The series will sponsor two events on the link between education, innovation and the arts, and what bright ideas we might share with our Nordic neighbours.

Public Services Reform
November 2006
Nordic countries face a long-term challenge of how to maintain the core of their extensive welfare state in the face of a variety of internal and external pressures.  The nature of necessary reforms and possible comparisons with the reform agenda in the UK will be addressed in this seminar.

Social Innovation and Well-Being
1st December 2006
This seminar celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Finnish Institute in London, as well as forming the basis for a report on social innovation and well-being, concepts often associated with the Nordic countries.