On Monday, the Norwegian Consulate General in New York hosted a seminar at Scandinavia House to put focus on gender equality and the governments role in society. The seminar was presented in collaboration with Women's Forum of New York and Catalyst, and featured an introduction by Consul General Sissel Breie and a thought-provoking speech by the Norwegian Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Audun Lysbakken; followed by a panel discussion between Michael Silverstein, Arni Hole, Laura Sabattini, Gail Fosler and Edie Weiner, moderated by Professor Michael Kimmel of Stony Brook University.
Minister Audun Lysbakken. Photo: Yashar DehaghaniIn his speech, Mr. Lysbakken drew attention to reasons as to why gender equality is necessary for financial growth, and he made political arguments detailing how the Norwegian government, by assuring a level playing field in the social and business spheres, enables true freedom of choice and provides a platform from which individuals may carve their own paths, regardless of gender or ethnicity. In the panel discussion that followed, these ideas and others were discussed and put in an American context; a discussion that was interesting, engaging and at times passionate.
When the nearly full auditorium was allowed to ask the panelists questions, some wanted to know what they could do to bring about change in the US, while others posed more rhetorical questions about the role that government should have in society. Everyone seemed to enjoy the debate, and both the audience and the panelists commented on the importance of keeping the debate alive also after the day’s seminar, and the issue current and in the news.