Participants at the event
The event is part of activities to celebrate Nordic Day (March 23
rd) in Hanoi.
It was attended by renowned speakers from the Nordic region together with over 100 Vietnamese scholars, researchers, policy-makers, opinion leaders and other stakeholders representing the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, key ministries, institutions, business associations and civil society organisations.
Chairing the event on behalf of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Assoc.Prof. Dr. Le Quoc Ly, Vice President of the Academy said: “The socio-economic model of the Nordic region has made great achievements in terms of economic growth, in developing a social welfare system, protection of the environment, as well as preservation and promotion of cultural values, and may thus be considered a good reference to countries in the world, including Vietnam.”
The Nordic countries, consisting of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland are currently upheld as a model for good governance around the world.
Through their presentations at the seminar, four Nordic speakers provided the audience with an overview of the region’s history, and shared experience on how the Nordic countries have worked together and trusted each other to become what they are today, one of the distinctive features for the Nordic region’s labor market.
In her opening speech on behalf of the Nordic Ambassadors to Vietnam, Ambassador of Norway Siren Gjerme Eriksen stressed, “A key aspect of the close Nordic cooperation is that we learn from each other. Something that works well in one country will often be quickly emulated in the other countries. I believe Vietnam is also open to and interested in learning from others, sharing experience. Increasingly, Vietnam can provide lessons itself.”
“The Nordic countries differ in many ways, but we are tied together by a set of common values such as common sense, equality, transparency, trust and entrepreneurship, and through our long history of friendship and cooperation” said Danish Chargé d'affaires Christian Brix Møller.
Finnish Ambassador Kari Kahiluoto noted, “Nordic society model can be described by high level of services and equalizers from society, distribution of income through taxation and strong institutions. This model has been flexible and has proven to serve Nordic societies well.”
The Nordics have had the oldest and most diverse forms of regional political collaboration for the past six decades. It is not by chance that a region with only 26 million people, which wouldn’t even make it into the top 50 of countries ranked by population, is one of the most integrated regions and the world’s 11th largest economy with a total GDP of USD1,416 billion.
The Nordic Model helps its members to share values and promote common goals including gender equality, which “in the labour market is a hallmark for the Nordic countries, and has enabled us to become one of the most prosperous regions in the world,” said Ambassador of Norway Siren Gjerme Eriksen.
Gender equality has made a significant contribution to the Nordic’s economic success. The proportion of women in work and politics is among the highest anywhere, and Nordic men hold the record in paternity leave.
Swedish Ambassador Pereric Högberg emphasized innovation and sustainability where the Nordic strives to be a pioneer in the development of production methods that are clean, sustainable and use resources efficiently.
He noted that “Goods and services must not damage the environment or health at any point in the cycle - from source to sea. We are world leaders in innovations, working together to find new, smart and bio-economic solutions. Also, transparency and access to information always have been key for Nordic success”./.