Norway becomes first Scandinavian country to decriminalise drugs

By

-

December 15, 2017

NordenBladet — Norway is to become the first Scandinavian country to decriminalise drugs as it focuses on treatment rather than punishment. The majority of the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, backed the historic shift which was supported by the Conservatives (Hoyre), Liberals (Venstre), the Labor Party (Ap) and the Socialist Left (SV).

Sveinung Stensland, deputy chairman of the Storting Health Committee, told Norwegian publication VG: “It is important to emphasise that we do not legalise cannabis and other drugs, but we decriminalise.

“The change will take some time, but that means a changed vision: those who have a substance abuse problem should be treated as ill, and not as criminals with classical sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.”

Nicolas Wilkinson, the SV party’s health spokesman, told VG that parliament’s goal was to “stop punishing people who struggle, but instead give them help and treatment”. He added the aim is to transfer responsibility for drug policy from the justice system to the health system.

The move follows the drug programme with judicial control (ND) scheme to replace custodial sentences with treatment programmes for drug addicts in the cities of Bergen and Oslo.

Launched in 2006 the scheme, billed as an “alternative to detention in prison”, was rolled out to all Norwegian courts last year.

Justice Minister Anders Anundsen previously said: “The goal is that more addicts will rid themselves of their drug dependency and fewer will return to crime.

“But if the terms of the programme are violated, the convicts must serve an ordinary prison term.”

Norway’s Country Drug Report released this year shows in 2014, the latest figures available, 266 people died from drug-related deaths. The figures, released by the Cause of Death Register, showed an increase from the year before, with opioids the most commonly involved drug.

The Norwegian Health Committee is planning a trip to Portugal in February, which decriminalised personal possession of drugs in 2001. The country made the move following a heroin epidemic and the highest drug-related Aids deaths in the European Union (EU).

It now has the second lowest drug-related deaths in the EU.

Norway could join other countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, Uruguay, and certain US states including California and Colorado, which have liberalised drug laws.

Source: The Independent
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Viru Hotel has „copied” the thematic rooms from Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria + Interview with Sokos Hotels Director of Sales and Marketing

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 14, 2017

NordenBladet – Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria has attracted attention with the thematic rooms (see HERE) for years, being the only hotel of design and storytelling in Estonia. Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria, having been singled out to the top five of Tallinn hotels, can boast its 93 rooms each one telling an interesting success story of Estonia. Many of you might not even know that Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria is located on the exact same address (Viru väljak 4) with Viru Hotel, both belonging to the same hotel chain.

Viru Hotel in the heart of Tallinn was opened back in the year 1972 and has been Estonia’s best known hotel among the Northern neighbours throughout times. This year the hotel celebrates its 45th birthday and operates under the name Original Sokos Hotel Viru.

Now also Viru Hotel surprises us with fascinating thematic rooms! With regard to the 100th jubilee year of Finland the hotel has introduced to its guests the most intriguing stories from Finland and also in May it has opened on the 18th floor eleven Finland-related thematic rooms with magnificent views, each one of them telling an exciting story about Estonia’s northern neighbours. The topic vary from diplomacy to sports, from tourism to music and culture and from nature to comic strips. Every story conceals a cordial connection with Estonia (have a look at them on Original Sokos Hotel Viru home page HERE).

Mrs. Evelin Org, how did the idea of the thematic rooms develop and how popular have they proven to be?
The idea stemmed from the simple wish to bestow for the important jubilee a gift to Finland that would be significant and spirited at the same time. The entire project was delivered to the Embassy of Finland already in May – on the 45th anniversary of Viru Hotel.

The rooms have attracted major attention – there have been those who stay as well as those who wish to have a glimpse.It is great to see that the rooms provoke so many positive emotions in people. That was actually the initial aim.

Is there also any thematic room that is favoured by far the most? What is the favourite thematic room in the eyes of the visitors, and why that particular one?
All of the rooms are equally popular, especially when Cristmas is coming. Many people have discovered this unique opportunity of making a distinctive present and surprising their friends and the people closest to them. As a present, the most popular have been the gift cards to the Finnish Embassy, ice hockey or Fingerpor room. Towards the end of the year, the Finnish Embassy room has a great role to play. The room also accommodates a sauna that serves as a pleasant surprise during the winter months.

Photos: Solo Sokos Hotel Estoria

Can Blockchain improve development? – New report highlights opportunities and dilemmas!

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 12, 2017

NordenBladet — Blockchain has the potential to renew development cooperation and humanitarian aid, among other things by using crypto currency and digitalizing contracts and rights and thereby deliver development in a new and potentially more effective way. That is the conclusion in a report released today by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the think tank Sustainia and blockchain currency platform Coinify.

According to the new report, “Hack the Future of Development Aid”, development cooperation and humanitarian aid organizations can by using the opportunities of blockchain technology perhaps wave goodbye to paper contracts and slow transactions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked Sustainia, who has written the report, to present the potential of finding new solutions for development challenges by using blockchain. The report emphasis among other things that by using crypto currency money can be transferred faster and safer to the hot spots of the world. In addition, contracts and other legal papers can be digitalised to combat corruption and ensure a more effective development aid and better protection of the rights of marginalized groups.

The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Ulla Tørnæs, says: “There is huge opportunities in bringing the technological development into play in development cooperation. The use of Blockchain and crypto currency is merely some of the technologies, which can give us new tools in the development cooperation toolbox. It is clear that if we are to succeed in relation to the sustainable development goals we need digital and technological solutions and some of these we do not know of, but we will help find them. Denmark is at the forefront when it comes to innovation – also in the development cooperation. That is why I am proud to present this report.”

From slow kroner to fast crypto currencyOne of the recommendations of the report, or so-called “hacks”, is about using blockchain technology to enable a fast transfer of money without middlemen and fees. By using crypto currency as a support agent development aid can be transferred directly from Denmark to recipients in poor countries. Denmark could therefor consider being the first donor country to transfer aid by using crypto currency, the report says.

Mark Højgaard, CEO and Co-founder of Coinify explains: “With crypto-aid solution, we foresee that issues like corruption will drop significantly, as money will be easy to track and transactions remain completely transparent.”

In other words, high-speed digital money means less corruption and more lives saved. Project leader from Sustainia, Marianne Haahr, explains: “Crypto and crisis is a perfect match, and aid organizations will undeniably be able to respond quicker using blockchain-based digital money, which arrives at email-speed, safely and transparently. The big challenge now is to disrupt the aid model. First step is to build trust in blockchain and its ability to facilitate all aspects of aid, next step is to disrupt the whole aid system.”

Blockchain is a new weapon in the fight for human rights and combating corruptionThe report also recommends that development and humanitarian organisations use blockchain when promoting human rights. Land rights and anticorruption are examples that are mentioned in the report. India for example sees blockchain as a tool to combat the country’s land register bribes (which amounts to a staggering 700 million USD). In relation to the rights aspect, the benefit from blockchain is that the individual owners have control over their own rights data – if it is land, health information or education.The report is presented Thursday 14th December 2017 in the UN City Copenhagen, and is freely available for download on the website of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Thursday 14th.

Source: um.dk
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

The Swedish St Michael’s church in Tallinn, Rüütli 9, is celebrating Lucia on December 13th

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 12, 2017

NordenBladet — Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth.

Vice President of International Finance Cooperation to present Finland’s Climate Fund in Helsinki and Vaasa

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 11, 2017

NordenBladet — Nena Stoiljkovic, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which belongs to the World Bank Group, will visit Helsinki and Vaasa from 14 to 15 December in order to present the Climate Fund (Finland-IFC Blended Finance for Climate Program), which was set up by Finland and IFC in October. The aim of the visit is to give an outline of the Fund’s objectives and activities as well as to tell about the opportunities for cooperation that will open up for Finnish companies.

Finland will channel EUR 114 million into the Fund and is expected to mobilise investments worth a total of approximately EUR 500 million in renewable and clean energy solutions and other climate projects in developing countries.

“Asia and Africa will be critical for climate change. In the cooperation with IFC we intend to encourage more and more companies to invest in clean solutions in the poorest countries. The Finns can provide good solutions and I hope that Finnish companies will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new Fund and transfer their expertise to poor developing countries,” Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says.

Stoiljkovic will hold a keynote speech in two seminars related to the matter, one in Helsinki and one in Vaasa, and have bilateral meetings with representatives of central Finnish stakeholders. Stoiljkovic will visit Finland on the invitation of Minister Mykkänen.

The events in December will be open for the general public and people are encouraged to engage in a broad discussion on climate funding. Companies, civil society organisations and the public sector are expected to send their representatives to the events. Finland will channel a total of EUR 114 million into the Fund to be invested in projects during the next five years.

This will be the largest funding ever targeted at international climate work in Finland. Shortage of energy is a critical barrier to development for the poorest countries, and the need and consumption of energy are likely to grow rapidly in the future. The aim is that a major part of the needs arising from the growth would be met by means of low-emission energy. By means of thisinvestment decision, Finland supports both the Paris Agreement and the goals of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (SDGs).

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Anna Laine appointed as Press Officer in St Petersburg

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 11, 2017

NordenBladet — The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed Anna Laine to serve as Press Officer at Finland’s Consulate General in St Petersburg starting on 29 January 2018. The post will be a fixed-term appointment ending on 7 January 2021.

Anna Laine will transfer to the Foreign Ministry from the Finnish Institute in Estonia, where she has been Programme Officer since 2016. Her responsibilities have included culture and projects related to Finland 100 projects.

Laine has wide experience of cultural contexts, gained also from participation in international projects. She has also worked for the press, radio and television. She has a comprehensive network of contacts and a good knowledge of both Finnish and Russian societies. She holds a Bachelor of Culture and Arts degree from a University of Applied Sciences.

The Press Officer’s duty is to use communication, country branding and culture to advance Finland’s objectives among the key target groups in St Petersburg and North-West Russia. The main responsibilities include strengthening of Finland’s visibility and attractiveness and the development of networks and relations between Finland and Russia. Laine will be responsible for the mission’s web communications and social media and for their development.

The Press Officer’s duty is to foster media relations, participate in Team Finland activities, and work in close cooperation with Business Finland and the Finnish Institute in St Petersburg.

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Foreign Minister Soini to Strasbourg

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 11, 2017

NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg from 12 to 13 December.

During his visit to the European Parliament, Soini will meet President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and Chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee David McAllister. The topics of discussion during the meetings will be Europe’s future, the UK leaving the EU, and topical foreign policy questions. Additionally, the visit aims to set in motion the preparations for Finland’s next Presidency of the EU to the extent that the relations with the European Parliament are concerned. The programme of the visit also includes meetings with Finnish Members of the European Parliament and with Finnish public servants working there.

At the Council of Europe, the Foreign Minister will have meetings with Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland and Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks as well as other senior representatives of the organisation. In addition, the Minister will have a meeting with Guido Raimond, President of the European Court of Human Rights. The topics of discussions will be current affairs in the Council of Europe and human rights challenges in its member States. Finland’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (from 21 November 2018 to May 2019) and Finland’s goals during the Chairmanship will also be discussed.

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the EU and Japan completed

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 11, 2017

NordenBladet — The EU and Japan finalised their negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on 8 December 2017. The agreement is significant both economically and politically. Together the EU and Japan account for approximately a third of the world’s GNP.

The trade agreement covers a large part of their trade in goods, related regulation and barriers to trade, as well as trade in services. The agreement’s entry into force will immediately remove tariffs on 90 per cent of exports from the EU to Japan. The agreement will make it easier for EU service providers to access Japanese markets in many areas. Instead, a decision was made about continuing negotiations on the protection of investments separately from the Free Trade Agreement.

Barriers to trade in important Finnish exports, such as plastic and chemical industry products, will be lifted immediately after the entry into force of the agreement. Tariffs on wood products will be removed after certain transition periods. The opening of Japan’s foodstuff markets will offer new opportunities for Finnish food exporters.

According to Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, the agreement is good news from the point of view of Finland and open world trade. “Finland has a good reputation in Japan. Free trade with Japan opens up new export opportunities and it is important that Finnish companies take advantage of the possibilities effectively,” Minister Mykkänen says.

The aim is to start the application of the agreement towards the end of next year.

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Minister Anne Berner attends a meeting on digitalisation in Oslo

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 9, 2017

NordenBladet — The Nordic Council of Ministers has established a fixed-term council of ministers, MR-Digital, to coordinate cooperation on digitalisation. The Baltic states also participate in the cooperation.

Minister Anne Berner will attend the first MR-Digital meeting on 8 December 2017 in Oslo. The meeting will decide on the future priorities and discuss the use of electronic authentication (eID) and the 5th generation wireless systems (5G).

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet

Foreign Minister Timo Soini to Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels

By

Helena-Reet Ennet

-

December 9, 2017

NordenBladet — The EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) will meet in Brussels on 11 December. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini. The topics on the agenda will include Iraq, the Middle East and the Sahel region. In addition, the foreign ministers and development ministers will hold a joint meeting to exchange views on the follow-up to the African Union – European Union (AU–EU) summit, which was held in Côte d’Ivoire.

The foreign ministers will hold a debate on Iraq and recent developments in the Middle East. The EU’s aim is to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region. As for Iraq, discussions will be held on the EU strategy for engagement with Iraq, which will be adopted at the beginning of next year, as well as on the EU’s support for stability and security in Iraq. Finland lays particular emphasis on the importance of addressing migration matters in the cooperation between the EU and Iraq, including efficient returns.

At the joint session between the foreign ministers of the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) and the Foreign Affairs Council, views will be exchanged on the situation in the Sahel and the EU’s support for the G5 countries’ security initiative.

The development ministers and foreign ministers, for their part, will discuss the results of and further actions following the recently held AU–EU summit. The fact that Finland had a youth representative in its official delegation attracted positive attention.

The Foreign Affairs Council will adopt conclusions on Thailand and on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as on the EU’s Gender Action Plan. Additionally, the Council is expected to adopt a decision establishing the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and determining the list of the participating Member States.

High Representative Federica Mogherini has also invited Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanjahu, for an unofficial breakfast meeting with the foreign ministers.

Source: Finland.ee
Find us also on Twitter: @NordenBladet