“Important to have a common North Calotte voice”
She wants to strengthen the North Calotte's voice nationally and internationally. See that our part of Europe takes a place that corresponds to its importance. When Norrbotten takes over the chairmanship of the North Calotte Council at the turn of the year, it will be with Lisa Lundgren at the helm. – This is where I want to be right now, says the council's new secretary general.
How can we jointly tackle problems that do not care about national borders? And how can we cooperate for good development in the northernmost parts of Norway, Finland and Sweden? These are questions that the organization Nordkalottrådet has been working on since the 1960s. At the turn of the year, Region Norrbotten will take over the chairmanship, and the council will have a new secretary general.
Lisa Lundgren takes over the position from Paula Mikkola, who is retiring after 21 years as Secretary General. Now Region Norrbotten aims to develop the council and its operations. Lisa Lundgren is a political scientist with both Swedish and Finnish citizenship, speaks both Swedish and Finnish and has extensive experience of working with cross-border cooperation. As Secretary General, she leads the work of the organization's secretariat.
“Strengthen our position”
– I really enjoy working internationally. Being able to take a broader perspective in a larger context. The North Sea Council in particular was particularly attractive based on everything that is going on in our immediate area. We have establishments and investments, and then NATO entry and what that could mean. The new migration and asylum pact, and how it affects our borders and how we live in the North Sea. It was very attractive to be part of strengthening our position in national politics and international politics, says Lisa Lundgren.
To get there, she sees a need to agree on goals that are relevant to all parties, issues that cannot actually be solved on their own.
– Nordkalotten as a whole has the same challenges as we have in Norrbotten. We need to build cohesion and trust, and I need to be the glue that holds the council together. Common goals are key. Even if there are areas where people have different opinions, we need to find focus areas where everyone feels a sense of belonging. I like when you know what framework you have, then it is easier to be creative within them, especially when you work in collaboration.
“Clear increase in ambition”
One of the council's activities is the Border Service Sweden-Finland-Norway. The Border Service is tasked with working on border barrier issues and labor mobility. The employees there have requested support regarding organization and working methods, and this will be one of the first issues Lisa Lundgren will address. Other priority areas are increased visibility and clarity, as well as technical solutions that simplify cooperation.
– We now have an opportunity to develop the council over three years. Norrbotten will take great responsibility for strengthening the organization even more, there will be a clear increase in ambition.
In the long term, Lisa Lundgren has several visions for cooperation and exchange in the North Calotte:
- Own financing of cross-border projects. This should lead to a constant stream of East-West projects in growth and culture, where all three countries are represented.
- Make border barrier issues visible and find solutions, for example regarding cross-border work commuting
- The Arctic should be given its natural place in the European conversation and in Nordic politics, according to its status and role.
– The North Calotte is seen and appreciated for everything that makes it so unique: the natural values we have with flora and fauna, natural resources, indigenous people, business. But it is a transformative time. Both good and bad things are happening in the surrounding area. There are many different interests and stakeholders who would like to have a hand in the political game. That is why it is very important to have a common North Calotte voice. An organization that sees how what is happening can affect those who live and reside here.
FACTS: Arctic Council
The North Sea Council is a political network and a Nordic cooperation body under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The North Sea Council is committed to the development of a common North Sea policy.
The Council promotes regional cooperation across national borders in the northernmost regions of Europe in various ways. The goal is to achieve good economic, social and environmental development. This could, for example, involve enabling cross-border cooperation between civil society and the cultural sector.
The chairmanship of the council rotates in three-year periods between Norwegian counties, the Federation of Lapland and the Norrbotten Region. At the turn of the year, the Norrbotten Region will take over the chairmanship. The new chairman is Glenn Berggård (V), regional councilor.
The Council has four members from each member country, for a total of twelve members. They represent the highest regional authorities responsible for regional policy in each country. Business interest groups are also represented on the Council.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa